Hands on Learning Activities

Discover Passion. Build Skills. Create Art.

Hands-On Media Experiences for Youth at SPNN

At SPNN, technology becomes a gateway to discovery. For many young people, stepping into a professional media environment with high-level gear can spark a passion they never knew they had. It doesn’t take long for confidence to grow and curiosity to ignite new career dreams.

SPNN offers an immersive, hands-on learning environment for youth ages 5–19.
Through our programs, students can explore our four-camera HD television studio, dive into photography, produce public service announcements (PSAs), and create their own podcasts alongside skilled and welcoming SPNN team members.

We can accommodate almost any group size. Larger groups are divided into smaller ones so that every participant gets a chance to engage deeply with multiple activities during their visit.

"When my colleague and I first started our school's podcast project, it started in a classroom, with one microphone, and an iPad. Through our partnership with SPNN, we have been able to create high quality products with staff who truly know what they are doing, and are warm and welcoming. The Fast Fashion Podcast project is a project we look forward to every year, and one that kids enjoy. This year, on a field trip to the facility, I heard a student who was using the cameras say, "I'm so good at this, they should pay me!" showing that SPNN not only helps youth continue their passions, but find new ones as well. SPNN is truly a place where art is made, and passions are found"- Kelsey Carlson Higher Ground Academy English Teacher

SPNN experiences don’t stop after one visit. We offer multi-week, project-based training in partnership with schools and youth organizations. Each curriculum is customized to your group’s interests and goals.

Our past collaborations include:

• A podcasting project for 9th graders at Higher Ground Academy as part of their English and Economics classes

• A livestreaming project with the Black Business and Technology Training Center (BBTTC) at The Capri in Minneapolis

• A video poetry workshop with the Teen Tech Center at Hennepin County Library

"We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with SPNN.  Our students gain access to technologies, expertise and experiences that we cannot duplicate at our school.  The podcast project we do with SPNN allows our students to use digital tools and media which helps them develop future college and workplace skills.  More importantly, students learn how to use media to develop their voice in matters about which they are passionate and to develop personal agency. These outcomes are as valuable as the academic learning objectives of the podcast project for these underserved learners." --Bob Anderson Higher Ground Academy Administrator 

Let’s make something amazing together. To schedule a tour or learn more about how your group can get involved, email Benji

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can schedule a tour? 

• A youth serving non-profit
• A church youth group
• An educational institution
• A girl scout/boy scout troop
• Any youth group that wants to explore media making. 

How long does a tour last?

• We can definitely work with the amount of time your group has, but typically 1.5-2.5 hours or 5 hours for a day camp.  

How many youth can we bring?

• An ideal group is 10-25 students. Let us know the size of your group and we will work with you to create the experience that will work best. If you have more than 30 students we can talk about doing them in a morning tour and afternoon tour.

What will our youth be able to do?

• Learn Photography Skills
• Learn Podcasting
• Use our studio to be a newscaster, operate a camera, or direct from the control room. 
• Make a PSA

How much does it cost?

• A five hour PSA camp is $40 a youth. 
• A one or two hour event depends on the number of students and number and type of activities. It ranges from $150- $900
  • Ten students with one activity for an hour is typically $150-$250.
  • Twenty students with two activities for two hours is typically $400-$500
  • Thirty students with three activities for 2.5 hours is $800-$900

*Studio activities are more because of the number of staff required to run the activity. 

What would a tour look like?

Scroll down to see descriptions of the available activities you can choose from for your hands on experience. You can mix and match activities for a longer experience.

Example for a group of 15-20 youth with two activities. The tour would last 90-120 minutes. The tour would cost $450.

• The group will be split into two small groups. 
• Each small group will spend 45-55 minutes in each activity

Example for a group of 20-30 youth with three activities. The tour would last 2.5 hours. The tour would cost $800

• The group will be split into thirds
• Each small group will spend 40 minutes in each activity. 

What does a five hour day camp look like?

• A welcome to SPNN and introduction to the medium. For PSA camps we watch PSAs and analyze them, for the Podcasting workshop we listen to samples of podcasts and analyze them, for the Photography camp we look at photos. 
• Youth learn storytelling skills and technical skills.
• They put those skills into action and create media.
• Break for lunch
• They learn editing skills (Photoshop/Audition/ Premiere) and edit the media they created.
• We share the media back as a group at the end of the day. We email out copies of the media as well.