WTIP Connects with Students Across the State
Belle Plaine, MN – In a delightful blend of education and community radio, 6th grade students at Oak Crest Elementary in Belle Plaine have been tuning in to WTIP North Shore Community Radio as part of their weekly routine. The connection began back in 2014 when 6th grade teacher Mr. Jarod Werner discovered the station broadcasting a playoff volleyball game while on a school trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN. Since then, WTIP has become a cherished part of classroom culture, particularly as the students prepare for their annual excursion to the North Shore.
Every Friday, the students gather around their classroom speakers, eager to participate in WTIP’s “Pop Quiz” segment. With alarms set for 9:28 AM, they pause their math lessons to tune in, fostering a sense of excitement and teamwork.
The connection to WTIP is not just about quizzes, though; it serves as a bridge to the North Shore region that the students love. They often keep the radio stream going in the background during class, especially leading up to their annual trip to Wolf Ridge, which this year marks its 50th anniversary. The benefits of outdoor learning for students is supported on WTIP by a regular rotation of local features on North Shore Morning, such as STEM coordinator and naturalist at Wolf Ridge Charlie Pavisich, botanist and plant ecologist Chel Anderson, birder Molly Hoffman, and Astro Bob King’s “astronomy for everyone,” about his observations and upcoming celestial events.
As the school year progresses, students in Mr. Werner’s 6th grade class aim to participate in the quiz every week, further strengthening their connection to the North Shore and WTIP.
The audio from the students’ perspectives on their experience listening to and playing Pop Quiz is below.
Katie Belanger October 11, 2024
