Local Charter Students Create Earth Day Radio Broadcasts

SLB Radio Productions, Inc. and The Environmental Charter School at Frick Park have completed an innovative in-school partnership that combines audio and radio, persuasive writing, self-expression and environmental issues.

Between March 7 and March 20, SLB worked with 72 second graders in three classes at ECS, integrating the tools of radio broadcasting and audio production into the lower school’s persuasive writing unit.

After learning about the use of microphones, mixers and digital recording and editing, students had the opportunity to make original audio recordings about themselves and their ideas for improving the environment. Students wrote and recorded short autobiographies, and discussed and recorded environmental issues and topics important to them, their school and their communities. During the program, 72 second grade students wrote and recorded 214 audio pieces.

In designing the program, SLB worked closely with ECS teachers and staff—including Shannon Shupak, Carly Catello, Amy Lassiter, Diane Karichko, Joseph Burke and Nikole Sheaffer—as well as with Matthew Luskey, director of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project.

Second-grade teachers Shannon Shupak and Carly Catello guided students through an open-end brainstorming process, during which they answered the question: "What would you want to change in the world if you could?" Students selected their own subject matter for persuasive editorials, which included a range of environmental-themed topics as well as other subject matter such as adoption. During the process of learning to develop and write a persuasive essay, students learned about opinion, reason, explanation and example.

The audio features that are now published and available for free on-demand listening and download at neighborhoodvoices.org.

Larry Berger, and Host of The Saturday Light Brigade, is a graduate of Churchill Area High School.

Additional Earth Day activities at ECS include the school’s 5th Annual Earth Nite, set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 at the Upper School.

Participants will engage with Pittsburgh-based organizations and businesses, enjoy local food, make art from creatively reused materials, view showcased student and classroom projects and artwork, and explore local advancements in the areas of environmental science, technology, and design.

The theme of ECS’ 2013 Earth Nite is “Talking Trash.” Participants will explore what happens to trash in all forms and what we can do with it, as well as how to prevent excessive waste and consumption.