The C-SPAN Digital Bus will roll into San Antonio tomorrow on its national tour with two stops to area schools. The bus will offer students at East Central High School a 2-hour visit from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., then be available to students on the A&M-San Antonio campus between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. The digital bus, equipped with state of the art technology, will open its doors to students interesting in learning about C-SPAN’s public affairs programing and resources. Tours last approximately 15-minutes and are available to classes or groups of 15 or less.
Melba Harris, communications manager of Time Warner Cable, said boarding the bus is an exciting opportunity for students.
“Time Warner cable has connected thousands of young people to hands-on learning opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) so they are prepared to solve the challenges of the future. We look forward to continuing to work with youth in the San Antonio community as we continue our commitment to inspire them to pursue STEM related careers,” said Harris.
Time Warner Cable, which sponsors the 45’ customized C-SPAN Digital Bus, began touring the country in June 2010 in an effort to build on its philanthropic initiative, Connect a Million Minds (CAMM). The program is a five-year, $100 million initiative that targets declining competency in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Developed by the U.S. Department of Education, The National Science Foundation and other partnerships, the programs are an effort to address educational needs and increase global competition.
Students, said Harris, can expect to see and experience high-tech platforms such as HD-TV, Internet, radio, social media and hands on interaction with the C-SPAN video library, making students able to experience Washington, their way.
“Through a variety of platforms, including television, radio, websites, facebook, twitter, yotube and mobile applications, we hope that students learn more about C-SPAN as a network and how to use it as a resource,” Harris said.
TV monitors will exhibit the C-SPAN networks in both high resolution and standard signals. There will also be computer kiosks presenting the vast capabilities of the C-SPAN web content, including laptops and mobile devices that will specifically target social networking.
“Classes held between 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Gillette campus will be given priority to board and tour the bus,” said Jenny Moore, director of student media. “Tours rotate every 15 minutes, and there may be some no-shows, so interested students should come to the front parking lot and we can find room.”
For more information on the Digital Bus tour visit www.c-span.org/bus . Or, for more information on Time Warner and its educational campaign, including the STEM and CAMM programs visit: www.connectamillionminds.com To schedule a tour, contact Professor Jenny Moore, Director of Student Media at 210-310-8621.
