Students get preview of South Rowan communications academy
Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 23, 2016
- Students in Camp Design watch as Jerod Jacobs, owner and creative director of Six Foot Kitten, demonstrates adding visuals and sound to an animated project. Jacobs was one of several real-world design and communications professionals students learned from during the week. Rebecca Rider/Salisbury Post
By Rebecca Rider
rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — In a few short months, South Rowan High School will launch an academy training students to work in communications. But last week, rising eighth graders and freshman got a sneak peek.
“Camp Design” introduced a handful of students to the basics of the field. When the academy ramps up in fall, they’ll be able to specialize in game design, web design, broadcasting or multimedia. And it’s open to every student in the county.
“It’s not just for South Rowan High School,” Zach Thompson, communications academy teacher said, “It’s for our whole community.”
The camp was a hit.
“They’re sharp,” Thompson said of the students.
Campers spent the week studying game design, working in Adobe programs and designing 3-D models in Blender, an open source 3D content-creation program.
Their digital creations can be used to start a portfolio after graduation, Thompson said. And students who choose to attend the academy will receive a certification.
“This is something that businesses recognize as a statement of knowledge,” he said.
The communications academy will function as one of South Rowan’s Career and Technical Education programs, but students won’t be missing out on regular learning. Thompson said the classes tie into core curriculum, and many of them will function as electives.
The finalized program will also feature internships, marketing tips and job shadowing.
“That’s going to be huge,” Thompson said.
But for now, prospective students had to settle for interviews and panel discussions with local communications experts. Students asked questions of local media members during a panel, and toured the studio at Six Foot Kitten, a local creative consultant.
Students enjoyed the week and learning how to use software. It also gave them a chance to feel out a possible career. Jocelyn Villa said she was thinking about studying communications, and hoped that the camp would help her decide. She still hasn’t made up her mind, she said, but she’d enjoyed learning about the field.
“I think it’s awesome,” she said.
Eventually, each district high school will have a specialized academy, allowing students to zero in on one area of interest, Thompson said.
“This is something to benefit us all,” he said.
Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.
