Don't be surprised to see several fire engines and about 65 high school students surrounding the Agriculture building today.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Arizona Latino Media Association is sponsoring a one-day workshop where Valley high school students experience spot-news reporting.
ASU spokesman Keith Jennings said the purpose of this event is twofold.
"This event allows students to cover spot news," Jennings said. "It also provides Tempe fire with a chance to do some training as well."
The event, which is set to take place from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m., will focus on a mock pesticide spill in the Agriculture building.
Students will be given a chance to observe the Tempe Fire Department's Hazardous Materials team respond to the spill. ASU's Department of Public Safety will simultaneously set up police tape around the lawn north of the agriculture building.
After students observe the spill, they will interview a Tempe Fire Department official, Jennings, two or three students playing the role of witnesses and victims overcoming the pesticide fumes.
Local media professionals will mentor students throughout the workshop. After observing the event and performing the interviews, the students will compete in a news writing contest for trophies and cash prizes.
Jennings said that students who attend the event would be given an opportunity to experience first-hand news.
"It gives them a little bit of a taste in the field," Jennings said. "Hopefully it will spark some interest for students interested in journalism and attract them to ASU."
Reach the reporter at tony.ku@asu.edu.
