Are you a high school student interested in journalism?
Whether you’re an aspiring journalist working on a school paper or someone who’s wondering if journalism might interest you, The New England Center for Investigative Reporting‘s summer workshop is a perfect opportunity to learn and explore.
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| NECIR Summer High School Workshop Session July 2011 |
Spend two weeks this summer on the Boston University campus in a unique program that will teach you the basics of investigative reporting.
Starting on day one you’ll work on investigative stories that could be published in your school newspaper or in major media outlets around New England.
You’ll study with award-winning local and national journalists, including university faculty, and spend one morning each week visiting area newsrooms.
You’ll learn the critical thinking and writing skills essential for college admission.
Some of the topics covered are:
- Finding investigative story ideas
- Writing a news story (hard news, profile, and feature stories)
- Writing an investigative piece
- How to perform a background check
- How to work with government databases and other information
- Interview techniques
- Computer-assisted reporting (CAR)
- News ethics
- Presenting your findings on the web, in print, and for broadcast
If you have any questions feel free to email summerworkshop@necir-bu.org.
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| Students learn computer-assisted reporting (CAR) techniques. July 2011 |
What would a sample day at the Investigative Reporting Workshop look like?
9-10 – Anatomy of a Story – How to start building your story
10:10-11:15 – How to Background someone – how to research everything about a person in order to expand your story
11:15-12:15 – Writing a feature/profile story about another workshop participant – learn and practice creating an a profile story
12:15-1:15 – Lunch/Free time
1:15-1:50 – FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) – Learning to exercise your rights to government information
2-4:30 – Investigative Story Lab – Time to work on your own investigative story that you will develop over the course of the 2 weeks
4:30-6:30 – Dinner/Free time
6:30-8 – Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts Tour
Other popular evening activities in the past have included: movie night, tour of Harvard Square, Museum of Science, shopping on Newbury Street, tour of the North End, and seeing a Shakespeare on the Common show.
| Workshop Info: Location: Boston University’s College of Communication Dates: Session 1: July 2-13, 2012 Session 2: July 16-27, 2012 Session 3: July 30-August 20, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday |
Cost: Tuition: $2,200. Dormitory housing (double occ.): $401 for two weeks Dining plan: 28 meals over two weeks – $300 38 meals over two weeks – $358 No refunds after April 1st. Application deadline: June 1, 2012 |
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| Students explore Boston’s Harvard Square July 2011 |
What have the students said?
Summer Investigative Reporting Workshop for High School Students
Get the Flash Player to see this player.“Thank you so much for this opportunity. When I came into the program I knew it would be a great experience but I never knew that it would change my life. I’ve learned so much about myself on this trip and also about relationships with other people. I am forever grateful for this program. Thank you for everything.” – Emma Gottlieb, July 2011
“I loved having a college experience from going to class, to living and eating in dorms with friends.” – Azucena Briones, July 2011
Click here for blog posts written by Summer 2010 students.
How to Apply:
1. Begin the application process by clicking through any “Apply Now” link on this page and pay the $25 application fee
2. Follow up by sending a high school transcript, a writing sample, and a teacher or adviser recommendation to summerworkshop@necir-bu.org. Remember to put your name in the subject line of the email along with the word application
3. Rolling admissions decisions will be made within two weeks of receipt of a complete application.
4. Tuition and housing/meal payment in full is due within 30 days of acceptance to the program.
If you have any questions feel free to email summerworkshop@necir-bu.org.
Faculty:
Joe Bergantino, NECIR’s Co-Director is an award-winning investigative reporter with 30 years experience, including 22 years as WBZ-TV‘s I-Team Reporter and five years as an ABC News Correspondent.
Maggie Mulvihill, NECIR’s Co-Director is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than 20 years experience in both print and broadcast reporting.
Rochelle Sharpe, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with more than 25 years experience as a staff writer for The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and USA Today.
Lisa Chedekel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former investigative reporter for The Hartford Courant.
Helen F. Smith, executive director of the New England Scholastic Press Association. She advised the The Newtonite at Newton North High School for 35 years.
