Weekend activity, rolling schedule.
Membership
This program is for Life Lab members. Every step is logged in the Human Skills record kept with our partner, the PNF Foundation, and in high school points toward a formal Congressional Award application (age 13.5+).
Want to talk to a course advisor now?
Contact a course advisorFrequently Asked Questions
What do Irvine high school students do in Newsroom?
Reading, writing, interviewing, speaking, photography, and editing. Teams work toward a News Live that they may publish to social platforms for a public audience, and the team decides at the story meeting which topics actually matter to the Irvine community. It runs as a weekend activity on a rolling schedule.
What does a student have to show at the end?
The team's News Live is the main outcome, with the chance to publish it to social platforms rather than keep it inside the classroom. Behind it sits the reporting, writing, photography, and editing work the team did to get there.
Can a student join if writing is not their strength?
Yes. The program spans reading, writing, interviewing, speaking, photography, and editing, and teams work through them together, so a student can enter through the part they are strongest at and take on the rest over time.
Which grade should an Irvine student join in?
G9 through G12. Students in G4 to G8 can begin with Podcast Creator, which starts from interviewing, scripting, and recording, and move into Newsroom in high school.
Does this help with a University of California application?
Sustained work with bylined pieces is persuasive material for humanities and media applicants. Every step a member takes is logged in the Human Skills record kept with the PNF Foundation, and in high school that record points toward a Congressional Award application. A University of California application rewards long commitment, so an Irvine student can point to specific stories and roles. Presentation is best planned with university planning.
