Podcasting Program for After-School Programs
Turn after-school hours into a working student media studio. BAM Digital Media’s hands-on podcasting program gives middle and high school students the chance to plan, produce, and record their own podcasts while building communication, storytelling, and digital media skills.
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More Than a Podcasting Class
Kids already want to create content. This podcasting enrichment program teaches them to do it thoughtfully and skillfully — students aren’t just sitting around a microphone talking, they’re building a real production skill set.
Storytelling & Communication
Framing an idea and telling it clearly, out loud, to a real audience.
Interviewing & Active Listening
Asking real questions and following the answer, not just the script.
Research & Topic Development
Finding a topic worth talking about and the facts to back it up.
Scriptwriting & Episode Planning
Intros, outros, transitions, and a structure that holds together.
Audio & Video Production
Mics, cameras, framing, and the basics of a clean recording.
On-Camera Confidence
Getting comfortable being heard and seen on a real recording.
Teamwork & Production Roles
Learning that a good episode is a team effort, not a solo act.
Digital Citizenship
Understanding what it means to publish something publicly.
Media Literacy
Recognizing how audiences, algorithms, and platforms actually work.
Responsible Content Creation
Creating with intention instead of just chasing attention.
Students Become the Production Team
A podcast episode has real jobs to fill. Students rotate through production roles instead of competing for time at one microphone — which is exactly how a group of 15–20 students works, not just two.
Host
Develops questions and guides the conversation from open to close.
Producer
Keeps the episode organized and manages the production process.
Researcher
Finds information and prepares background material for the episode.
Scriptwriter
Creates intros, outros, transitions, and overall episode structure.
Camera / Video Team
Captures and helps edit video podcast content.
Marketing Team
Writes episode titles, descriptions, and promotional concepts.
What Students Learn
Six learning areas, taught in sequence, that take a group from a blank idea to a finished, publishable episode.
Podcast Development
Choosing a concept, audience, format, and purpose before a single word is recorded.
Storytelling & Scriptwriting
Building strong openings, questions, transitions, and episode structure.
Interviewing
Asking meaningful questions and holding an engaging, real conversation.
Audio & Video Production
Microphones, cameras, framing, sound, and basic production workflow.
Digital Media Literacy
Understanding audiences, algorithms, digital footprints, copyright, and responsible publishing.
Promotion & Audience Building
Creating titles, descriptions, graphics, and promotional content for a real audience.
Choose the Right Podcasting Program for Your Organization
All three formats build toward the same outcome — a finished, published podcast episode or season students can actually point to.
Podcast Foundations
A compact introduction to podcasting and digital storytelling — best for organizations wanting a shorter enrichment experience.
- What makes a great podcast
- Choosing a topic and format
- Writing a first episode script
- Recording and basic editing
Podcast Production Lab
More time for planning, interviewing, recording, and production — students rotate through multiple roles.
- All 4-week content, plus:
- Interviewing techniques
- Audio editing and sound design
- Cover art and branding
- Publishing a finished episode
Full Media Production Studio
The complete process, from concept to a published season — students move through every production role and finish with a real, shareable body of work.
- All 8-week content, plus:
- Video podcast production
- Show branding and social media
- Multi-episode season planning
- Guest interview preparation
- Published season portfolio
A Final Project Students Can Be Proud Of
This program is project-based. Organizations aren’t just buying instructional hours — they’re funding a tangible, youth-created media project. Depending on program length and available equipment, participants can complete:
- A recorded podcast episode
- A video podcast
- A student interview series
- A branded show concept
- Episode artwork and promotional assets
“Students leave with a real, published podcast episode or season — something they can share, embed on a portfolio, and build on for years.”
Designed for Middle and High School Students
Instruction, pacing, and topic complexity are adjusted by age and experience — not a single script delivered to every room.
Podcasting for Middle School Students
Students plan and record a short episode — focusing on structure, voice, and the basics of editing. Sessions build confidence speaking on mic and working as part of a team before layering on more technical production skills.
Podcasting for High School Students
Older students take on more independent production — interviewing, multi-episode planning, video podcasting, and audience-building — with an eye toward the real digital media and content-creation careers this work connects to.
Built for After-School Schedules
This program is designed around how after-school programs actually run — not a school-day class period squeezed into an evening slot.
- After-school scheduling
- Evening programming
- Weekly sessions
- Community-center environments
- Groups of up to ~20 students
- Multi-week enrichment
- On-site implementation
- Available across NYC & surrounding areas
Who This Program Is For
What Your Organization Receives
Program Facilitation
Led by BAM’s founder — not a rotating roster of contractors.
Structured Curriculum
A sequenced plan built for the format and week count you choose.
Student Activities & Materials
Worksheets, activity guides, and session materials are provided.
Production Guidance
Hands-on direction through recording, editing, and production roles.
Project Development Support
Guidance shaping the concept through to a finished episode.
Digital Media Instruction
Media literacy and responsible-publishing content built into every format.
Final Project Support
Help bringing the episode or season across the finish line.
Optional Showcase Guidance
Support planning a listening or viewing event for families and staff.
No special equipment required
Most sessions run on school- or program-issued phones, laptops, or tablets and free tools like Audacity, GarageBand, and Anchor. If your organization has specific devices or Wi-Fi limitations, we’ll confirm exactly what’s needed before the program starts.
Taught by Someone Who Has Actually Done the Work
Most digital literacy and media programs are written by people who study the internet. BAM was built by someone who spent 15 years working inside it — as a full-time content creator, not a curriculum vendor.
- 15+ years of real-world digital content and media experience
- Direct experience working with NYC students and schools
- Founder-led instruction — not a rotating cast of facilitators
- National curriculum licensing experience
- Curriculum built to connect media production with responsible digital participation
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is the after-school podcasting program for?
The program is built for middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students. Content, pacing, and production complexity are adjusted for each age group.
How many students can participate?
Groups of up to approximately 20 students work well. Because this is a production-focused program with rotating roles, smaller groups of 10–20 are recommended so every student gets real hands-on time.
How long is the program?
BAM offers 4-, 8-, and 12-week formats. The 4-week format is a compact introduction; the 8-week Production Lab is the most popular; the 12-week Full Media Production Studio is the flagship option, taking students from concept through a published season.
Do students need podcasting experience?
No. The program is built to start from zero. Students with no prior experience learn the full process, from choosing a topic through publishing a finished episode.
Does BAM provide podcasting equipment?
No special equipment is required. Most sessions run on school- or program-issued phones, laptops, or tablets, paired with free tools like Audacity, GarageBand, and Anchor. We’ll confirm your organization’s specific setup before the program begins.
Can students create video podcasts?
Yes. Video podcast production is built into the 8- and 12-week formats, including camera basics, framing, and video editing alongside audio production.
Can the program be customized around our organization?
Yes. Session length, topic focus, and pacing can be adapted to your schedule, students, and space. Reach out with your organization’s specifics for a custom proposal.
Do students produce a finished podcast?
Yes. Every format ends with a real, published deliverable — a recorded episode, video podcast, or full season, depending on the program length your organization chooses.
Can BAM run the program in the evening?
Yes. The program is built around after-school and community-center schedules, including evening programming and weekly sessions outside the traditional school day.
Do you work with after-school programs outside Brooklyn?
Yes. BAM Digital Media works with after-school programs, libraries, and community organizations across NYC and the surrounding areas.
Looking for an engaging after-school program that combines creativity, communication, and real-world digital media skills?
Bring BAM Digital Media’s Student Podcasting Program to your organization.
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