Student Television Network
Student Television Network (STN) is a United States based association of high school broadcasting, film and media programs. They work with teachers to provide support and tools for the classroom. STN also hosts several contests for students and a convention that brings together over 2,000 students and teachers for four days of professional sessions, contests, and interaction with peers.
Student Television Network embraces the educational components of broadcast journalism, video production, filmmaking and media by networking students and teachers with professionals in the industry. Middle school and high school students are given varied opportunities for training, interaction, competition and critiques from qualified experts.[1]
Objectives
Student Television Network’s objectives are:
1. To help the students understand the media business better
2. To give them an idea on how to enter the media world
3. To give the students an idea of what to do between now and when they enter the media world
4. To give the students real world, hands on experience at the convention
5. To give teachers a chance to connect with other teachers and allow them to share ideas
Contests
Student Television Network hosts several contests each year for both high school and middle school students. All contests follow strict guidelines for content, copyright and ethics. Submissions are judged by professionals in the industry and comments are returned to students for evaluation. STN adheres to professional guidelines for student produced work thus ensuring that students are equipped with real world knowledge during their education.
Some of the contests they host during the year are: High School News Feature, High School Film Challenge, and Middle School Spot Feature. The contests hosted during the annual convention range from High School Sixty-Second Silent Story to Middle School Broadcasting.
The most popular contest is Sweet 16, where students must write, film, and edit together a broadcast or short film in sixteen hours according to the theme that they are given.
Conventions
The annual STN convention hosts more than 2,000 students and teachers from across the country. The goal of the convention is to network students and teachers with professionals who can share real life experience. The peer interaction is also significant as teachers interact with colleagues who share their struggles and successes and students explore their passion for production with others from diverse parts of the country.
The four-day convention included a day devoted to 16-hour timed contests (Sweet 16), two days of breakout sessions presented by professionals in the industry, media panels, individual program contests, and a formal Closing Ceremony. Every year, professionals in the industry are flown into the convention location to present sessions and judge contests.
Website
Student Television Network’s website includes information for both students and teachers. It provides resources for finding colleges, lesson plans, and a glossary of broadcasting terms. It also includes the STN Newsletter and STN store.
STN memberships run from July through June of each year and must be renewed annually. The membership allows you to access all of STN’s resources and contests.