Del Campo High School launches new podcasting course for the 2025-26 school year

Del Campo High School students will soon get the chance to flex their creative muscles in a whole new way. Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the school will offer a new podcasting course designed to help students with their interviewing and storytelling skills.

The idea for the course came from Del Campo teacher Kimberly Powell, who noticed her students' enthusiasm for podcasting while teaching a newspaper class.

“We started podcasting because I was looking for a new digital platform to explore,” Powell said. “So I thought, ‘Let’s try podcasting, maybe even some video or YouTube content.’ Most kids’ favorite part of the class was podcasting, so I had to learn how to podcast myself.”

More than 30 students are already signed up for the course, and Powell has even started brainstorming story and podcast ideas with some of the students ahead of the new school year.

The course will focus on developing a wide range of storytelling and technical skills. Students will learn how to research, prepare interview questions, organize their ideas and deliver content in a way that engages listeners.

“The idea is to get your thoughts organized and present them in a way that will bring people in, show you have knowledge, show you’ve done your research and are a reliable source,” she said. “It sounds very academic, but especially in today's times when we're having those conversations, it's important for them to be able to have those skills to say, ‘This is what I think, and this is why.’”

Del Campo 11th-grade student Caitlin said that she initially struggled with extracurriculars, so she was excited to hear that a podcasting course would be available for the next school year. 

“I was, like, ‘Oh, I like talking, so that would be cool.’ And then, my friend and I came up with a concept for a podcast where we will take turns picking a band or an artist to talk about and ask each other questions,” she said. 

Caitlin also sees the course as an opportunity to build her confidence and communication skills.

“I’m not a very social person, but I feel like this could help with that, talking to more people and making new friends,” she said.

Powell believes podcasting is an ideal medium for students because of how accessible it is. 

“Anyone can do it anywhere. They don’t have to go out to buy nice equipment, and it gives them a voice. Teenagers are often put aside and it’s common for people to not pay attention to them,” she said.

Ultimately, Powell says her students will have the freedom and creativity to manage the topics they care most about. 

“You get to choose what you’re passionate about,” she said. “You could do a whole sports podcast, one about cheerleading, or something totally different. I really try to sell that creative angle, storytelling, sharing your ideas and just having fun with it.”