Kids / Students

Adolescent – Ages 14-18

Media Mania

When 80 percent of kids are visual learners, it’s imperative that we ask, "What are they learning from what they see?" Powerful messages come from media. Do kids have a right to commercial-free space? How is their public health impacted by media? With practiced deconstruction skills, kids can learn the methods that are used to get them to buy, the difference between needs and wants, and the consequences of living in a consumer-based culture. Special attention is given to sexualization and violence with discussion focusing on how to get out of the box of stereotyped gender roles.

What is the difference between healthy sexuality and sexualization? How are current sexualized styles affecting our culture? With trends that shift in a matter of weeks and with targeted marketing campaigns, adolescents face more pressure than ever before to keep up with appearances. How did we get here? When did pornography move mainstream? Discussion will address the implications of porn in pop culture, what we can do about it, and how to develop a healthy sexuality.

Stop The Killing Corridors

Anyone who has experienced a lock down drill understands the reality of preparing for a school shooting. By using excerpts from Jackson Katz' "Tough Guise" video, and other media examples, students will consider where violent culture comes from, who benefits from it, and who is harmed by it. They will generate awareness about how to recognize messages that incite this kind of behavior. Opening up a dialogue can empower students to establish their school as a peace zone. An extended workshop is available to support kids in this effort, culminating in the creation of a group mural that can be placed in the entrance of the school, reminding everyone of this distinction.*

*Based on “Kids as Peacemakers” curriculum

What Are You Doing on the Internet?

Whether it's gaming, email, social networking, shopping, or exploring, kids are participating in many different ways on-line.  Unfortunately, very few of them are having discussions about how to behave in this new world.  This workshop will focus on how the brain is effected by gaming and other media, what draws kids in, sexual and violent content, and the amount of time that is spent on-line.  Kids will learn how to deconstruct a web-site, looking for clues that tell them what's going on behind the cool graphics and animation.