A Classroom Grant awarded last spring to Abby Fitzgerald, HAL Teacher for Bennington Public Schools, is helping students explore new ways of learning, collaborating, and creating—this time, through podcasting.
As the HAL program continues to grow across Bennington’s two middle schools, so does the need for innovative tools that connect inquiry, creativity, and technology. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, five portable podcast recording cubes and five high-quality microphones were added to the HAL classrooms at Bennington Middle School and Bennington South Middle School.
These tools opened the door for middle school HAL students to dive into every step of the podcasting process—from idea generation to recording and editing—while also strengthening 21st-century skills.
“Podcasting gives students an authentic audience,” Fitzgerald explained. “When they know their work will be shared beyond the classroom, the depth of their thinking, problem solving, and creativity grows tremendously.”
The impact was immediate. During the spring semester, HAL students wrote, recorded, and produced 28 unique shows, each with three full episodes. Their chosen topics spanned a wide spectrum—sports, fashion, economics, data, video games, crime, and much more—reflecting the diverse curiosities and passions of Bennington’s young learners. Along the way, they learned how to design, brand, and publish a product they could proudly share with their peers and the wider community.
Fitzgerald notes that the project also fostered critical collaboration and communication skills. “Students learned to partner with one another, to give and receive feedback, and to persevere when challenges arose in the editing process,” she said. “These are skills they’ll carry with them well beyond HAL.”
The equipment has future potential, too. In addition to being used again during this school year, the podcasting tools are available for a wide range of projects across grade levels and departments—from music and theatre to school announcements and creative storytelling. In total, hundreds of Bennington students stand to benefit in years to come.
This project supports the first two Bennington Strategic Goals: preparing students for 21st-century learning and personalizing their learning environment. The Foundation’s investment ensures students can engage in meaningful, future-ready work while taking ownership of their learning.
“Thank you for supporting projects like this,” Fitzgerald shared. “These tools are building confidence, creativity, and collaboration in ways that will truly last.”
