It's important for students to understand gathering the news, Research, Research, and Research! Gather information that is vital to the story, be there, find it online, television and print stories, such as news of a crime, a feature on a local food pantry or an editorial critical of the mayor, and decide what’s information, opinion or even untrue. A historical example, such as news coverage of the Watergate scandal, or recent news like coverage of a local trial will teach you that reporting informs people and helps keep the government honest. Target your local audience -- a report about changes in the school dress code will find readers because it’s relevant to classmates.

Become reporters by interviewing your peers, maybe uncovering a feature story about a classmate who competes in basketball, or helping create differing opinions on the school’s detention policy. Whether for digital, broadcast, or print -- driven by interest and the school budget -- student reporters should ask the key questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. They can then move on to interviewing a principal, coach, teacher, or other school officials, and begin building the facts and gathering quotes for a story. 

You will be sent on multiple missions to compile a list of possible news or feature stories. You should know that a news story is happening now -- such as a recent change in the grading scale, plans for a pep rally or even a school board meeting. Schools contain endless and timeless feature ideas: Try finding out what you keep in your back packs for example, film the dance team preparing for a competition or investigate stories that are of interest to not only you but the school as a whole, perhaps running an online poll to confirm what students think about the lunches. 

Armed with information and new skills, you can start writing stories for an online publication, newspaper, webcast or school broadcast, with the adviser or teacher helping you see your surroundings in a new way and better appreciate the day’s news. You may later choose to work in online or television news, or at one of the thousands of community newspapers that produce online and printed news.