Mini-Grant Application for School Year 2021-2022

Submitted by: Matthew Baker Email: matthew.baker@yourcharlotteschools.net Grade Level: 9-12 Subject: CTE program, English, Soci
Co-Applicant: Email: Grade level: Subject:

School: Port Charlotte High School Type: Public Grade Levels:9-12 County:Charlotte

Approx. Enrollment: 2000 Number of teachers:90

School Address:

18200 Cochran Blvd.
Port Charlotte, Florida 33948

Phone: 941-255-7492 Principal:Louis Long Email: louis.long@yourcharlotteschools.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pchspride/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/piratespchs?lang=en

Project Title: Audio Lab for the 21st Century
Project Dates: 01/06/2022-N/A, variable Grade Levels:

Focus Area(s) :Tech Ed/CTE- Engineering- cross curriculum - student/public engagement

Abstract:
As a modern high school, the media program at PCHS is in dire need of an overhaul; outdated equipment and bare-bones facilities have limited the school's ability to jump feet-first into the kind of technological education that has seen an explosion of popularity in the past decade. While some may view an audio engineering lab in terms of an antiquated "recording studio," it's actually the opposite: technological advancements and industrial shifts have made audio production far more affordable than ever, and the popularity and ubiquity of recorded media (podcasts, mp3s/streaming music) make the project a potential game-changer in terms of student involvement and possible career skill development. By establishing an audio engineering program/audio lab, PCHS can introduce students to podcast production, the fundamentals of audio recording techniques, revolutionize flagging levels of student engagement, and create a fun, innovative way of reaching the public the school serves.

Proposal:

How is your project innovative?   (25 points)
Establishing a modern dedicated audio lab at PCHS would be a first in the county; while some schools in the district have basic TV Production courses, including this one, none have a dedicated space or equipment dedicated to instruction of audio production/engineering. An audio lab featuring carefully selected audio production gear would allow students to gain valuable possible vocational experience, express themselves creatively, and offer an outlet that can serve the entire district in ways other programs can't. Imagine a school where the jazz band can raise much-needed funding by selling professional-sounding CDs at football games; a self-contained audio lab can do that. The future expansion of the lab into the realm of student-driven podcasting and student-run online radio would not be far behind. In this way, it is easy to see how this lab could serve not just Port Charlotte High, but potentially the entire school district.

How will it fit into your curriculum (include standards)? (10 points)
The addition of the required equipment would not only open up a creative outlet for the students, it would open an entire new branch of curricular possibilities for the school. The CTE standards outlined by the Florida DOE as CTE-AATC.68.AV.01.01 - CTE-AATC.68.AV.01.06 would become a possibility; instead of piggybacking on the current limited TV Production course selection, the school would be able to offer a fully equipped lab which could support the standard requirements of A/V Technology & Film courses, as well as satisfy the Standard 05 requirement of "utilize technology as it relates to A/V technology/industries." Standard 06 CTE-AATC.86GENRL.06 would also be met, as the new program would "utilize technology as it relates to performing arts, journalism, and the broadcasting industry." The new curriculum and scheduling possibilities the lab would create for the school alone is a powerful argument for its creation.

How will it encourage long-lasting change in your classroom, school or community? (20 points)
The student use of the lab will foster a new level of student engagement in a fundamental, nearly tangible way. Students will be able to direct friends, family, and community members to actual professional-level product, conceived, edited, and brought into being through their efforts and newly acquired technological acumen. Imagine the impact of a previously unengaged student telling a friend or community member "here, listen to this song by one of my classmates; That's her singing...I produced this recording," or a group of students creating a podcast which discusses issues relevant to their cohort or the community. The ability to create professional-level media is key to modern schools of PCHS' size, and there are few modes of communication between school and community which create goodwill and transmit information faster than quality A/V media.

How will technology be utilized?  (20 points)
Over the past 20 years, the field of audio engineering has been revolutionized by the creation and refinement of recording software and equipment that have made professional-sounding results possible to achieve with a carefully selected collection of "prosumer" gear. Each week, there are songs on the Billboard Top 20 which were literally recorded on a laptop with Pro Tools, where a multi-million dollar studio would have been required even just 15-20 years ago. A carefully crafted and equipped audio lab would allow student-driven recordings to be made as a final product; each one conceived, recorded, refined, and produced by students who are learning the difference between passive and phantom-powered microphones, the differences between overdriving an audio source and clipping a signal, and learning the ins and outs of a multichannel signal path while creating an interleaved mp3 product. The equipment made possible by the grant could lead to a creation of a whole new series of elective classes where the student learning is driven by the use of this suddenly affordable technology.

What evidence will you collect to show student gain?   (10 points)
Unlike some other forms of curriculum, evidence of program efficacy in the CTE realm is easy to show; the resulting products created by student activities are an ideal way to demonstrate evidence of the proper use of the technology and equipment, as well as the success of students in their pursuit of learning gains. The more varied the equipment, the more varied are the potential outcomes as the types of A/V media are limited only by student imagination. In this way, CTE courses offer some of the greatest sources of progress monitoring; each classroom assignment becomes a pathway to the creation of a real, tangible product.

How will participants share your project results with the community?  (15 points)
It would not be hard to argue that A/V media is a more effective communication tool than print in modern America. Given the demands of time on the average parent or community member, communication that can be consumed "on the fly" is of prime value (consider the appeal of iPods, audiobooks, podcasts, and even forms of media like NPR). A quality audio product can impress community stakeholders in ways that a polished print product can't. The school has a long-established media connection with the community, through its YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter footprints, and new ones would be explored as well in an effort to showcase the resulting student work from this new program.

Budget:

I, Matthew Baker, certify that the application is complete and final, AND I verify that I have received permission to apply for these funds from Louis Long,the Principal of Port Charlotte High School and any other individuals required by my school district.

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