Caitlyn Arendt

Arendt’s innovative teaching idea, “Technology for Hands-On, Digital Learning and Career Academics,” focuses on expanding her school’s broadcast journalism class, where participants contribute to a student-run news network by creating live broadcasts on a daily basis. Students are the sole creators, serving as the writers, reporters and camera-people. After the course’s initial success, the small class size doubled due to increased student interest. With the Voya grant, Arendt intends to purchase additional equipment, such as cameras and tripods, to meet the greater demand. Expanding the program will benefit not only the students enrolled in the class, but also those in the student body and local community who enjoy appearing on and watching the student-made broadcasts.