Participate

How can you get involved? 

FOR EDUCATORS

STEP 1: Sign up for StoryMaker for access to lesson plans, tutorials, and assignments. StoryMaker is a free learning platform from Student Reporting Labs for educators to participate in our youth journalism and storytelling program.

STEP 2: Read this overview about how to work with our team in the 2025-26 school year.

STEP 3: Get help along the way! To support SRL students and educators throughout the process, SRL’s expert youth media producers are available to consult with teachers and students on story pitches, scriptwriting, voice-over narration, rough cuts, and final videos. If you have a quick question, the fastest way to contact our team is to fill out this form. Have a more in-depth question? Book office hours with Emily Hope Dobkin, Community Engagement Manager,  is your go-to for program questions about how to get involved and connect. Book a time to chat with her here. 

STEP 4: Our Facebook group to engage with more educators like you — this is a place to share your questions and wins! We look forward to working with you to equip more student journalists with the tools to produce important local stories.

FOR STUDENTS

STEP 1: Explore StoryMaker to access tutorials and see current open calls for reported stories. StoryMaker is a free learning platform from Student Reporting Labs.  Each school year, our team offers a number of different student reporting opportunities. 

STEP 2: Read this overview about how to work with our team in the 2025-26 school year, then sign up for our newsletter and follow Student Reporting Labs on social media.

STEP 3: Get help along the way! To support SRL students and educators throughout the process, SRL’s expert youth media producers are available to consult with students on story pitches, scriptwriting, voice-over narration, rough cuts, and final videos. If you have a quick question, the fastest way to contact our team is to fill out this form. Have a more in-depth question? Book office hours with our community engagement team here to get help at any point during the reporting or production process. 

NOTE: If you’ve been around Student Reporting Labs for a while… all of this might feel new! Historically, SRL’s structure was to work with a smaller number of schools as Student Reporting “Labs.” Currently, we have over 9,000 educators signed up on StoryMaker to engage with our youth journalism and storytelling program.

If you have questions or suggestions, you can always reach out to our team by filling out this contact form.