70 Russian pupils became participants of the educational media exchange from HSEMEDIA

The next educational shift «Journalism and literary creativity» has ended at Sirius. This year it was attended by 70 high school students from different parts of Russia.

© © Photo from the archive of the Sirius Educational Center and the editorial office of the HSE Media Institute

For the third year in a row, teachers from the HSE Media Institute and the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics' First Academy of Media have been holding master classes, special training sessions, and practical workshops for talented, literary-gifted pupils from all over Russia. Participants get a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of media, work with leading industry experts, and create their own projects.

In the beginning of the session, the students split into six teams. Under the guidance of mentors, they spent three weeks exploring media professions: trying their hand at being journalists, camera operators, copywriters, designers, and content managers. Their main task was to develop and launch thematic Telegram channels dedicated to the educational programmes at «Sirius», as well as to events in science, art, and sports across the federal territory. The pupils attended training sessions of Sirius figure skaters and hockey players, rehearsals of young musicians at the secondary special music school, and visited scientists' laboratories. Using the knowledge gained in the «Journalism and Media» programme, they created content and visual designs for their projects.

The Science track was curated by Lilia Valieva, a screenwriter and head editor of documentary projects at Vision Media Center LLC. The Telegram channel «Sirius’ Formula», developed by the participants, is aimed at school students who want to learn about and take part in the educational center's scientific programmes. The public channel «Phenomenalno» («Phenomenally») helps users navigate the educational programmes available across the federal territory – from nursery school to university.

Everyone interested in art chose the intensive workshop led by Polina Ermolaeva, a special correspondent for the «Vesti» news programme and head of the creative workshop at the Institute of Contemporary Art. The Telegram channel «Khroniki Iskusstva» («Art Chronicles»), created by the participants, highlights the achievements of young potters, musicians, and artists at «Sirius». Another platform, «Zelyonaya Lampa» («The Green Lamp»), was created to support creative youth by publishing information about events that help to discover talents and find friends with similar interests.

The sports track was headed by Igor Shvetsov, head editor of the «Match Strana» TV channel. The project «Nasledie Olimpii» («Olympia’s Legacy») aims to promote sports and serves as a reminder that the educational center itself owes its existence to the Olympic legacy. «This was very educational for me personally. It was a new experience, and I was very pleased that the wonderful audience was receptive to what I told them», – commented Igor Shvetsov on working with his team.

Each editorial team presented their final media product to an expert commission consisting of experienced journalists and teachers. The experts awarded extra points for a project's value to its audience, engaging and clear presentation of the content and its concept. The highest marks were awarded to the channel «Mam, ya na trene» («Mom, I'm at Practice») about the lives of young athletes participating in Sirius's sports programmes. Its main goal is to show parents what their children are doing in the shift, using interviews with coaches, footage from training sessions, and competition reports.

The Jury Chairman, Director of the HSE Institute of Media Ernest G. Matskyavichyus, expressed confidence that the skills the students acquired at Sirius will undoubtedly be useful in their future professions.

Ernest G. Matskyavichyus
The Jury Chairman, Director of the HSE Institute of Media

«The Telegram channels you created on the programme are like a testing ground where you practice all the competencies you will need if you are going to seriously engage in journalism in the future».

Ernest G. Matskyavichyus

A renowned journalist and television host held a master class titled «21st Century Media. The Role of the On-Air Personality» for the session's participants. He shared secrets for managing live broadcasts, professional techniques for performing in front of large audiences, and the key qualities essential for future journalists.

Another master class was held by Eduard V. Bondarenko, First Deputy Director of the HSE Institute of Media. Using the examples of VGTRK (All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company) and «Rossiya Segodnya» (MIA), he explained how the correspondent network of a major news agency and a federal TV channel is structured and operates, both regionally and internationally.

The participants received help with designing logos, identity kits, and visuals from Danila Shorokh, a teacher at HSE University. Alisa Glushenkova, Head of Marketing and Advertising at the HSE Institute of Media, worked with pupils on structuring their channels and developing content plans. To write vivid and substantive texts, they learned under the guidance of experienced philologists and editors: Marina Korolyova, a professor at the HSE Institute of Media, and Ruslan Tochiev, a teacher at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and a news anchor for the TV and radio company «Mir».

«In this course, we started with the most important thing – developing the concept of a Telegram channel. The participants thought through the theme, style, mission, and only then began filling it with content, learning to combine analytics with creativity. They not only mastered such journalistic skills as the ability to write eye-catching texts, work with sources, and present information but also learned how to hold the audience's attention through meaning and emotion. The pupils impressed me with their sincerity, unconventional thinking, and ability to sense modern trends. I am sure that this experience will help them not only in media but in any field where ideas and the ability to inform them to people are important».

Alisa Glushenkova

Head of Marketing and Advertising at the HSE Institute of Media

«This is my second trip to Sirius. You'd think nothing could surprise me anymore but it amazes me just like the first time. Firstly, the participants of the programme, the school students: they are so mature, intelligent, and well-prepared! Their geography origin spans the entirety of Russia. Secondly, the teaching team: we worked together like a great editorial office, where everyone knows their task precisely and all understand each other perfectly. And this is despite the fact that some of us had only just met at Sirius. Isn't that miraculous?»

Marina Korolyova

Professor at the HSE Institute of Media

Experienced mentors helped the future journalists master shooting reports, writing long-reads and news articles, and the craft of live broadcasts. Among them were Alena Muchnik, Head of Extracurricular Student Projects at HSE University and teacher at the HSE Institute of Media, Pavel Melnikov, Head of the «Higher School of News» project at the HSE Institute of Media and Gulnara Soldatova, a television host and correspondent.

«I remember this year's programme for its very intelligent and independent participants. But at the same time they are very responsive and interested. «Sirius» is a place of strength not only for children, but also for teachers».

Pavel Melnikov

Head of the «Higher School of News» project at the HSE Institute of Media

On the eve of their departure, the participants of the April session «Art. Science. Sport» were met by the Chair of the Council of the «Sirius» Federal Territory, Elena Shmeleva, and the Assistant to the President of Russia, Andrey Fursenko. Elena Vladimirovna noted the success of the interdisciplinary creative programmes format and thanked the teachers and organizers of the project.

At the end of the shift, the pupils were awarded certificates and commemorative gifts. For many participants, this immersive experience was unique, allowing them to reconsider their choice of future profession and move confidently towards their goals.

«On the first day, we were given questionnaires to write down our expectations for the «Journalism and Media» shift at the «Sirius» Educational Center. On the last day, rereading my letter from that first day, I was moved to tears – tears of joy, of course. It was incredible to realize how much I had advanced professionally thanks to training from outstanding specialists. For a long time to come, I will remember my mentors, teachers, and the Jury members who evaluated my editorial team's work, where I was happy to serve as editor-in-chief, with warmth and affection».

Sofia Krasavina

«I am incredibly happy that «Sirius» happened in my life! Nowhere else have I ever gained so much experience, communicated with such wonderful teachers and mentors, hosted a closing ceremony for 600 people, or taken a picture with Ernest Matskyavichyus. It was an unforgettable shift that gave me new friends, introduced me to true professionals, and showed me my beloved field of journalism from a completely new perspective!»

Daria Buyanovskaya

«Going to «Sirius» has been my dream since the 8th grade. This session exceeded all my expectations. I gained new knowledge and experience and met so many wonderful people! My editorial team managed to create a full-fledged media in just a week, presented it, and received our long-awaited scores. I loved the session because «Sirius» is all about sincerity, friends and a special atmosphere».

Arina Shchegolenkova

 

Authors: Alyona Muchnik and Victoria Andronova, a first-year student of Bachelor's programme «Journalism» 

Translation: Ekaterina Erokhova, a second-year student of Bachelor's programme «Media Communications»