Radio Camp 2013 – Day 12 – Microphone Building 210

It’s hard to believe, but we are officially halfway through this year’s wonderful Summer Dreamers Academy! Today we put the final touches on our very own hand-built microphones, connected them to a mixer/speaker combo, and amplified some 6th grade voices–DIY style.

Reading is FUNdamental: Everybody Wins!

From Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh, Everybody Wins! is a lunchtime literacy and mentoring program that pairs elementary school students with volunteers from local companies and organizations to share lunch, conversation, and good books.

In Spring 2013, participants in the Everybody Wins! program at four local Pittsburgh Public Schools discussed their mutual love of books, and the benefits of reading aloud to someone one-on-one. Participating schools include: Pittsburgh Faison K-5, Pittsburgh King PreK-8, Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 and Pittsburgh Weil PreK-5

This project was made possible with support from Reading Is FUNdamental Pittsburgh and United Way of Allegheny County.

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 11 – Microphone Building 101

On our eleventh day of Radio Camp, campers were asked how they thought microphones worked; “microchips,” “electricity” and “fleas on tiny treadmills” were all pretty common explanations. After recording their imaginative reverse-engineering’s, they learned about the true inner workings of a microphone, starting with what a transducer is and does. All of this techno babel then led to each camper building their very own dynamic microphone out of household items.

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 10 – Technology

On our tenth day of Radio Camp we asked our campers what they thought “Technology” was. The most frequent answers were “electronics” and “Xbox 360,” but the campers soon learned that it was pretty much everything around us. After learning some scientific definitions, they then made these recordings about not only what they think technology is, but what else they would like to know.

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 9 – Posters and Radio Ball

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On our ninth day of …

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 8 – Rhythm, Tempo & Dynamics

Our eighth day of Radio Camp was crazy, super fun! We learned a slew of new scientific-y terms like: rhythm, tempo and dynamics, and we also learned how to play Radio Ball! The game is a combination of freeze tag and kickball, with a kernel of cleverly disguised learning at it’s core. Then, with Mr. Andy on drums, the campers danced the afternoon away, mirroring his drum beats and exemplifying the previously discussed terms with their footloose feet.

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 7 – Audio Editing

On our seventh day of Radio Camp, campers practiced interviewing some more with the H1 handheld digital recorders. But afterwards, the kids were introduced to the editing process and Adobe Audition–the software SLB staffers use in office. We had some fun rearranging previous recordings around (apparently Nikko likes to eat monkeys and his favorite animal is tacos?) and then made recordings about the qualities that make a good friend.

Girl Scouts of Western PA – The Wonders of Water Journey

In the Spring 2013, 2nd and 3rd grade girls in the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania after school program at Pittsburgh King PreK-8 learned about the many properties and uses of water through a variety of hands-on activities, named The Wonders of Water Journey. The Saturday Light Brigade worked with the scouts to discuss and demonstrate what they had learned from their different activities.

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 6 – Interview Skills & Practice

On our sixth day of Radio Camp, after playing the super fun “Brainstorm Race” warm-up game, we learned a ton of new things about interviews: from making sure your recording equipment is working properly, to understanding the importance of open ended and follow up questions! Campers then paired up and tried out their newly acquired interviewing skills on each other.

Radio Camp 2013 – Day 4 & 5 – A Time I Achieved

On our fourth and fifth day of Radio Camp, campers were asked to reflect on a significant accomplishment in their lives. Their answers ranged from striking out three batters in the 9th, through unearthing fossils in their backyard, to even standing up for their convictions and giving the American version of “Godzilla” a positive review. We then headed outside for some one-on-one interview practice with the newly introduced H1 digital recorders.