Behind the scenes: Filming with SRL’s first college climate reporting fellowship
By: Anthony Payne
Date: Aug 1, 2025
This spring, PBS News Student Reporting Labs’ first college climate reporting fellows wrapped filming on their final projects. Nine college students from across the country produced stories alongside mentors from the SRL team about young people working to address climate change and environmental issues in their communities. Students submitted pitches, and were divided into three teams producing three stories – and they had three days to film. 
This is the first time SRL has offered a reporting fellowship for college students.
“It was a real privilege to work with this talented group of students,” said SRL’s Editorial Director, Marie Cusick. “They took a complex topic and made it come alive through powerful storytelling. We got to learn from each other and had fun during our field productions.” 
After a series of pre-production meetings in March, the teams met in their respective cities – Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Boston – to film for two days and edit on the third. The fellows also spent time exploring each city and city gaining a better sense of the communities they were reporting in and context on the issues they were covering.
The Washington DC team toured the National Museum of African American History and Culture and learned about Black influence on US fashion culture. They also toured national monuments and interviewed U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine.
The Boston team traveled to a saltwater marsh on Cape Cod to film part of their story, toured GBH studios, and explored Boston’s historic North End.
The LA team caught a sunset at Griffith Park Observatory, walked the pier at Venice Beach, and participated in a community hike at Elephant Hill park where locals contributed to a habitat survey.
From unexpected downpour in a city known for drought, to filming in a tight Congressional office, and an unusual springtime Nor’easter, the students adapted to a number of production challenges on the fly. They got what they came for: a sample of what professional reporters deal with in the field regularly. In spite of these obstacles, the three teams reported insightful stories about young people taking agency and action towards climate solutions, refusing to accept a planet in decline.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the autonomy, trust, and respect placed on us,” reflects Joey Wu, a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. “ I can now utilize distinct pathways to make my words have more impact.”
These stories are in edits this summer and will be published as a digital series on PBS News’ YouTube channel in late September.
This fellowship is made possible by the Scripps Howard Foundation and other SRL program funders.
Team 1: Los Angeles, California
The Students: Jose Guzman-Wug, a third-year student at the University of Southern California, Roury Fitzpatrick, a first-year student at Cal State San Marcos, and Cole Monzon, a junior at the University of Miami
The Mentors: Becky Wandel, SRL Youth Media Producer, and Rawan Elbaba, SRL Digital Producer
The story: Inside two movements to bring Los Angeles’ Latine community into climate literacy conversations
Sustainability Sin Fronteras, the University of Southern California’s only Latine news outlet, aims to to inform LA’s historically excluded Spanish-speaking community on sustainability work. Miguel Ordeñana, the Senior Manager of Community Science at the Natural History Museum, works to bring hands-on science and climate education to LA locals.
Team 2: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Students: Joey Wu, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, Grace Go, a freshman at Cornell University, and Lizzie Stoner, a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill
The Mentors: Becky Wandel, SRL Youth Media Producer, and Marie Cusick, SRL Editorial Director
The Story: How a wildlife photographer uses his talent to advocate for an ecosystem
Wildlife photographer Soren Goldsmith uses motion-activated camera traps to capture the wildlife of Wellfleet, Massachusetts and convince people that marshes are worth protecting.
Team 3: Washington, DC
The Students: Zion Williams, a sophomore at Howard University, Kani’ya Davis, a third year at North Carolina A&T State University, and Sarah “Paola” Magallanes, a sophomore at the University of Georgia
The Mentors: Justin Rhodes, SRL Youth Media Producer (Curriculum), and Wyatt Mayes, Youth Media Audio Producer
The Story: The Howard University that’s making carbon-consciousness chic
Hailey Morris is the president of HUWEA, a student association at Howard University that finds opportunities for Black students to combat environmental racism. HUWEA’s sustainable fashion initiative encourages eco-friendly shopping practices via thrift store tours, flea markets, and farmers markets around Washington DC.