Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
February 16, 2011

Lights, Camera, Action for Corner Brook Students

Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Corner Brook, with support from the Provincial Government, is launching a television studio where students will learn how to use camera equipment, lights and microphones, and produce broadcasts for the school community.

“Sparking the imaginations and interest of youth through interactive learning experiences is important in stimulating a culture of youth innovation,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. “Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School will enjoy and benefit from such experiences with their new television studio. They will get first-hand experience learning how to use the equipment, compile content, and produce a television broadcast.”

The investment, totalling $18,628 was funded under a call for proposals seeking innovative learning experiences for young people. The call for proposals was issued through the Provincial Government’s innovation strategy, Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity, which identified support for youth as an essential element in creating a culture of innovation in the province.

“I am very pleased that our Provincial Government, through the innovation strategy, has provided this funding to Immaculate Heart of Mary School,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and MHA for Humber East. “It will help to provide our young adults of tomorrow a wonderful opportunity to learn techniques of a different nature from that which is traditionally taught in a school environment.”

In addition to producing television broadcasts that will be aired on school video monitors and the school website, students will meet with industry professionals and acquire insights into film production beyond what is seen on television.

“Our television studio will empower each student at Immaculate Heart of Mary and enable them to experience the operations of a broadcast centre,” said Elaine King, Principal, Immaculate Heart of Mary School. “Students learn and develop as they are exposed to new and exciting opportunities. This initiative in particular will promote teamwork and improve communication and problem solving skills. It will also provide students with the tools to express themselves creatively and generate new and innovative ideas. The Provincial Government is to be applauded for its support of youth innovation projects.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary School is among the close to 30 not-for-profit organizations, schools in the kindergarten to grade 12 system, post-secondary educational institutions, youth organizations, industry organizations, and regional economic development boards to receive support totalling more than $400,000 through the Provincial Government’s call for proposals.

Launched in 2006, Innovation Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Prosperity has served as the Provincial Government’s framework to stimulate a culture of innovation across traditional and knowledge-driven industries. In addition to a focus on youth, the strategy has also served as the foundation for a broad range of initiatives geared towards increasing the province’s telecommunications capacity, developing Oceans of Opportunity – a five-year strategy focused on accelerating the growth of the ocean technology sector, and creating a human genetics research facility at Memorial University.

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2011 02 16                                                        9:55 a.m.