Two South Douglas Elementary students are receiving national recognition after their podcast was named a winner in National Public Radio’s America 250 Student Podcast Challenge.
Fourth-graders Travis Bozeman and Oliver Heering earned national recognition for their podcast, "Researching the Underground Railroad." The project explored the history of the Underground Railroad and the courageous journeys of enslaved people seeking freedom. As part of their research, the students conducted an interview with a subject-matter expert and turned what they learned into a compelling podcast that impressed judges nationwide.
Thomas Bruno, fourth-grade reading teacher at South Douglas Elementary, said the students gained valuable knowledge and experiences throughout the challenge.
“The kids learned so much,” Bruno said. “They read “Who Was?” books about famous Americans and important American landmarks. They were so excited to meet and interview experts from across the country, including historians and rangers from the White House, Mount Rushmore, the Underground Railroad Museum and Grant’s Tomb.”
The America 250 Student Podcast Challenge invited students from across the country to create original podcasts exploring what America's 250th anniversary means to them and their communities. Bozeman and Heering’s thoughtful research, storytelling and curiosity helped their project stand out among entries submitted nationwide.
Bozeman expressed excitement about the opportunity to create the podcast with his classmate.
“It was so much fun working with my classmate on the podcast,” he said. “We learned so much about the Underground Railroad and got to meet online with an expert from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.”
Their achievement highlights the talent and dedication of Douglas County students, as well as the commitment of their teachers and school community.
Congratulations to Bozeman, Heering, Bruno and the South Douglas Elementary School community on this outstanding national accomplishment.