C-SPAN SCHOOL BUS VISITS HCC

Matthew McGuire, C-SPAN bus production specialist, welcomes visitors to the mobile TV production/media demonstration bus. Pictured here are Grace Edwards and little Empress Faison, daughter of Kimberley Robinson.

Halifax Community College hosted a visit from the C-SPAN School Bus this week, thanks to an invitation from Ken Robol and his students.

The bright, yellow bus – based out of Washington, DC, is a 45-foot mobile TV production studio and media demonstration center that tours the country bringing the world of public affairs to communities nationwide.

Due to local school closings because of snow on the day the bus was in Weldon, the usual program the C-SPAN School Bus offers to school children was not possible. However, school officials from the four local systems, the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, local media, and HCC faculty and students had the unique opportunity to tour the traveling bus and talk to the three C-SPAN representatives traveling with it.

Each bus visit is sponsored by C-SPAN's local cable affiliate. Charter Communications hosted the stop in Weldon. Gilbert Portela, Charter general manager, said of the bus visit, "C-SPAN has been in our system since it was first launched; we are honored to have these folks here."

Students, educators, librarians, business leaders, and government officials are invited in each locality to tour the bus to learn more about the variety of public affairs programming on the C-SPAN networks and the value of using C-SPAN programming and educational materials in the classroom.

Inside the bus you'll find three TV cameras other television production equipment, three color TV monitors, laser disc players, IBM computers with printer, and other equipment for use in demonstrations.

Programming on the C-SPAN network offers a variety of subjects, bringing the world of public affairs to each community. In addition to the live proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives, C-SPAN offers "Washington Journal" in the morning - weekdays and weekends and other regularly scheduled program opportunities - ex. "Road to the White House," "America & the Courts," "Close Up," "Book TV on C-SPAN2" and other prime time public affairs programs.

C-SPAN is created and funded by cable companies and offered as a public service

Free materials are available for classroom use, and instructors can sign up to receive email notices of upcoming programs that would be of particular interest in their curriculum.

The Internet site for more information about the C-SPAN School Bus and educational opportunities is C-SPAN.org.

Susan Rodney (left) – community relations representative and Sarah Conant (standing right) – C-SPAN education coordinator describe the programming features of the C-SPAN network. (Ken Robol is standing in the middle.)