Recently at Franklin High School, Mrs. Moreau and Mr. Bailey have taken interest in an ongoing project by the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association (MBA) called the “High School Radio Project”, which supplies schools with equipment and curriculums to start up a radio station. The radio station would serve Franklin in an almost recreational way, allowing classes related to media and afterschool clubs (Pantherbook included) to use the station for interviews, broadcasts or live shows/music. 

The Massachusetts Broadcasters Association describes the project as an “opportunity to explore a career in communications, a boost on college applications and internship opportunities and an opportunity to develop critical professional skills”. The station would help give students a hands-on experience in working with media, and would help develop the skills necessary to continue media interest in college and beyond. 

Believe it or not, many other schools already have established radio stations, some which run 24/7 and others which don’t. Take for example WIQH (88.3 FM), the radio station ran by Concord-Carlisle Highschool, or WELH (88.1), the 24/7 hour radio station managed by The Wheeler School in Providence, RI. Both these radio stations have had great success both engagement wise (having been running for decades) and learning wise, having taught many kids the basics of live radio.

Overall, if the school were to go through with the plans to establish a radio station at FHS, it would serve as a great experience for kids to learn media at Franklin and help with outreach across the entire Franklin community. 

Related Websites:

https://www.massbroadcasters.org/high-school-radio-project

https://www.wiqh.org/ 

https://www.wheelerschoolbroadcasting.org/