Media Summer Camp Seeks High-school Innovators

The application process for the first ever High School Media Innovation Camp, sponsored by Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication,  The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com and the USA Today Network, is now open.The camp will offer future journalists, game developers and other creative high-school students the chance to work with entrepreneurs, technologists, journalists and professors to create new ways of storytelling in the ever-changing media world. Participants will live on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus June 18-30 and will get to experiment with 360-degree and virtual-reality technology, news games and news apps.Campers will develop a project and pitch their idea to a panel of judges at the end of the two weeks. The winners will get an opportunity to continue to work with professionals at ASU, The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com or the USA Today Network.”It will be so much fun. They’ll get to try out new technologies, learn about new technologies and tools, and create something,” said Cronkite Associate Dean Kristin Gilger. “We expect we’ll attract some students already interested in journalism, and maybe some students who never thought about journalism but like new technology and want to try out some new tools.”The selection process will be competitive. Interested students should fill out an application and provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher or adviser familiar with the student’s creative abilities. A recent photograph and high-school transcript are also required. There is no age requirement to apply, but preference will be given to sophomores, juniors and seniors. The application deadline is March 24. Selected students will be notified by late April.Camp programming costs, food and housing will be covered by The Arizona Republic’s Media in Education program, which is funded by subscribers donating the value of their subscription during vacations or other temporary stoppages. The program is committed to providing education and opportunities to community youth. Students are responsible for covering incidentals. Cronkite student counselors will stay with the students in the residence hall and work with them throughout the program.A version of this story by Johana Restrepo first appeared on azcentral.com on Jan. 22, 2017 at http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2017/01/22/media-summer-camp-seeks-high-school-innovators/96859408/.