Pankow Students Host Job Show for Teens

The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) partnered with the Telecommunications class at the F. V. Pankow Center to create a state-of-the-art video production to promote career interests in robotics. Students of the Telecommunications class co-host the production featuring segments shot on-site at Kuka Robotics of Sterling Heights and in-studio segments videotaped at DLEG’s studios in Detroit.

We integrated this project as an authentic learning experience for all students, said Telecommunications instructor, Michael Kaufman.  “All students interested were involved in the process through pre-screening auditions conducted during class time.  Over 30 students participated in the process to select two co-hosts. The Department of Labor and Economic Growth was so impressed with the quality of the auditions that they invited additional students to participate in outside projects related to the video segment, which will air statewide on public access channels later this spring.

The Telecommunications program at Pankow is a two-year course designed to prepare students to explore careers in the television production field and to develop essential skills for employment in this field.  Training involves studio exercises, which include the use of cameras, teleprompter, video, switcher, audio board, color graphics computer, videotape operation and staging.  This course emphasizes a hands-on approach to skill development with individual and group projects.  All equipment is state-of-the-art and equals all broadcast and commercial standards. 
“I was thrilled with the quality level of our students’ auditions, which gave students insight into the real world of broadcasting, stated Kaufman.
For more information, contact Kaufman at kaufmmi@lc-ps.org.