Girls Get I.T. Sessions
The girls arrived at the News Channel 9 studio in Albany bright and early at 9 am. They were then divided into 4 teams:
- The Tech Wizards;
- Doppler Dynamos;
- Graphics Gang;
- Bits & Bytes.
Each team participated in 5 activities, each of which lasted for approximately 30 minutes:
- Complete the circuits;
- Computer use in meteorology;
- Creative design and the computer;
- Non-linear video editing;
- IT and the T.V. Station.
Complete the Circuits focused on the process of assembling a data circuit. The task simulated a "real-world" work experience. The girls were given a bag of parts, no instructions, and 20 minutes to put together a closed circuit. Talk about a deadline!
Computer Use in Meterology presented the girls with activities related to the presentation of the weather to the viewing audience. Topics included: using the internet for data gathering, how to check past and present data from the Doppler site,; and how to use chroma-key (green screen) technology to present a weather forecast.
Creative Design and the Computer demonstrated the science behind the art of graphics creation. The girls created basic animations and learned about character generation.
Non-Linear Video Editing taught the girls how to create a 30-second promotional spot. Using Apple's Final Cut Pro video editing software, the girls learned how to import video into the computer, how to manipulate it on a timeline, and how to output to tape.
IT and the T.V. Station showed inner workings of Cable News 9. The girls were given a tour of the master control room and the archives. They learned how the station's computer network makes the day-to-day processes of the station run smoothly, and they also learned how to capture and storage large amounts of video.
