by Christina MacCorkle | 23 Aug 2021 | Politics, Student Posts, Thacher School, United States, Youth Voices
My generation was born after 9/11. Twenty years after that day, the attacks resonate with us, but we need historical context to grasp why they occurred. People walk past yellow roses and flags placed on the names of 9/11 victims who were veterans, at the 9/11 Memorial...
by Christina MacCorkle and Lucy Maitland-Lewis | 18 Aug 2021 | Educators' Catalog, Environment, Politics, Student Posts, Thacher School, Youth Voices
The U.S. government owns the rights to any oil under our school. So, could frackers drill on campus? Turns out, the only certainty is the need to vote. Gymkhana Field at The Thacher School (Carin Yates/Thacher School) Since its founding in 1889, The Thacher School in...
Journalism is an adventure and publishing a process — lessons that Christina MacCorkle and Lucy Maitland-Lewis learned in spades in producing their article on a beloved field at their school in California. Gymkhana Field is where generations of Thacher School students have ridden horses, but it may also lie above valuable oil. Which is where the U.S. agency that manages federal lands enters the picture. Their story went through multiple drafts as they dug deeper and deeper into the web of issues. The bottom line is that the field’s future is uncertain — an ambiguous conclusion that could frustrate some writers. But the authors learned from the experience and their story educates us as well.
Exercise: Ask your students to research the history of their school grounds and to find out whether there is a chance that there could be changes to the school’s footprint, and if so, why.
by Nelson Graves | 19 Jul 2021 | News Decoder alumni, News Decoder Updates, School Year Abroad, Youth Voices
Many young people don’t know what they want to study or what career to choose. Giuliana Nicolucci-Altman’s advice? Find a mentor to inspire you. Giuliana Nicolucci-Altman During high school, like so many young students, Giuliana Nicolucci-Altman...
by Nelson Graves | 16 Jul 2021 | African Leadership Academy, Educators' Catalog, Greens Farms Academy, News Decoder Updates, Transylvania College, Youth Voices
Three students from News Decoder partner schools offered their thoughts on the future of international schools at a recent meeting of top educators. When one of the world’s prominent authorities on international schools wanted to hear students’ views on...
Diversity, inclusion and equity in education are top of mind for young people today. But how often are their voices heard at the top? Three News Decoder Student Ambassadors recently had the opportunity to speak directly to senior educators attending ISC Research’s virtual “Edruptors Conference.” Varlee Fofana of the African Leadership Academy in South Africa, Ioan Pristavu of Transylvania College in Romania and Giavanna Bravo of Greens Farms Academy in the United States emphasized the importance of a global-minded curriculum, diversifying admissions processes and encouraging equal participation among students.
Exercise: Ask students to identify how their school supports diversity, equity and inclusion, and where it could improve.
by Nelson Graves | 8 Jul 2021 | Culture, La Jolla Country Day School, News Decoder alumni, Youth Voices
A graduate of a News Decoder partner school, Pip Lewis is juggling her studies with her passion for music — and winning accolades along the way. Students are forever encouraged to “follow their passion” as they contemplate what to study, where to go to...
by Nelson Graves | 30 Jun 2021 | Human Rights, La Jolla Country Day School, News Decoder Updates, Youth Voices
Lucy Jaffee interviewed a top expert to get a jump on the mainstream press in a landmark free-speech case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Lucy Jaffee Eight months before the U.S. Supreme Court took up a free-speech case covered by the world’s largest news...
by Nelson Graves | 24 Jun 2021 | Friends Seminary, Youth Voices
Samara Friedman of Friends Seminary in New York City, a News Decoder partner school, has won a spot in a selective FBI youth program. Samara Friedman Samara Friedman is interested in learning more about law and government – what she calls “keeping people safe.”...
by Elaine Monaghan | 23 Jun 2021 | Health and Wellness, Indiana University, United States
Aaron Carroll’s job is to persuade Americans to get their COVID-19 shot. His technique? To listen and provide solid information. American singer Dolly Parton receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine whose research she helped fund, Nashville, Tennessee, 2 March...
by Tendayi Chirawu | 17 Jun 2021 | Africa, Kepler, News Decoder Updates
Kepler in Rwanda adds a new university program to News Decoder’s community, extending our reach to 20 partners in 15 countries. Kepler is a non-governmental organization working in Rwanda since 2013, in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University. (Photo...
by Nelson Graves | 10 Jun 2021 | African Leadership Academy, Environment, European School Brussels, Health and Wellness, News Decoder Updates, Youth Voices
A reporting project profiling youth who are fighting climate change includes two students at a News Decoder partner school in Belgium. Video of “The Writing’s on the Wall” mural being painted at the European School of Brussels II. Video by Amélie...