At George A. Jackson Elementary School in Jericho, New York, educators wanted to help students discover the power of their voices. During the 2023–2024 school year, as part of a unit about natural hazards and disasters, 4th-graders used library and classroom time to create podcasts about their research. After National Public Radio (NPR) recognized one of the projects as a winner in its 2024 Student Podcast Challenge, the initiative has continued to grow.
George A. Jackson Elementary School’s (GJES) library wants to provide a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. That makes podcasting a perfect fit. It gives students a platform to express their creativity, explore new ideas, and collaborate with peers while learning real-world skills.
Our podcast project started as a collaboration between librarian Danielle Melia and coteachers Lauren Kawasaki and Reshma Seth. We wanted our 4th-graders to work in pairs to create an episode related to our unit on natural hazards. Students developed episodes to answer thought-provoking questions like “Are there any volcanoes in outer space?” “Could a tsunami occur in New York?” and “Why do wildfires last so long?”
We encouraged students to focus on accuracy, research, and storytelling in their scripts. Journalism students from the local high school taught them how to use the podcasting software Soundtrap. The younger kids learned about recording, editing, and composing their own background music through hands-on demonstrations.
The students recorded their podcasts in the high school journalism classroom, which made them feel like real journalists. Hearing their personalities come to life reminded us how opportunities like these can build confidence and celebrate individuality.
We submitted the podcasts to National Public Radio’s (NPR) 2024 Student Podcast Challenge. In August, we were thrilled to hear that two of our students, creators of “Will Erosion Cause the Montauk Lighthouse to Fall into the Ocean?”, were among the 4th-grade winners.
Inspired by the positive response, we secured a $700 grant from our Special Education PTA during the 2023–2024 school year to purchase sound shields and microphones for the GJES library. This school year, all 5th-grade students made environmental-themed podcasts. They were introduced to the topics by our science teacher, created music with the music teacher, and designed cover images with our art teacher.
Hearing their personalities come to life reminded us how opportunities like these can build confidence and celebrate individuality.
The library again played a central role. Once students selected topics, they researched them at the library, where staffers helped them find, evaluate, and cite reliable sources. Throughout the project, we ensured students could access resources that met their learning needs. This included using Scholastic’s BookFlix digital literacy tool to organize and differentiate materials, helping students engage with information in a way that best suited them.
With the success of this project, we’ve begun using podcasting as an entry point for other types of learning. We’re developing ways to use podcasting to explore social-emotional learning themes school-wide, for example, with the support of our principal. Additionally, teachers across grade levels can take advantage of the equipment and create their own projects that align with students’ interests and learning goals.
For elementary school librarians interested in offering podcasting, our advice is simple: Start small. Begin with one class, figure out logistics, and use the results to inspire others. Each year is an opportunity to build on successes, allowing the initiative to grow naturally.
Empower students to take ownership. Remember that you are learning along with them, which they appreciate. Students will discover new ideas, materials, and their own exceptional ideas; let them steer the project forward.
