C-SPAN bus makes news in Utah

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 19, 2004 by Tiffany Erickson Deseret Morning News

It may look like a big yellow school bus on the outside. But instead of spit wads and drab green seats it carries well over $1 million worth of video equipment and has traveled from coast to coast.

The C-SPAN School Bus recently made a stop at West High School to give students an inside look at television production. All morning C- SPAN staff members ushered high school students on and off the bus, giving short presentations on how production works.

The 45-foot production studio and demonstration center also made stops at other schools in Salt Lake City, Logan, Layton and Provo.

Half of the bus serves as a mobile classroom while the other half functions as a working production studio and interview set. And though it gets a scant six miles per gallon, it has made its way to 50 state capitals during the 11 years it has been on the road.

C-SPAN account representative Matthew McGuire said the bus is part of the C-SPAN Classroom and is aimed at not only giving students a glance at real video production but getting them involved and interested in news.

"It's a way to get kids interested in public affairs because they are going to be voting soon," McGuire said. "We want them to read their local paper, watch the local news but use us as an additional resource."

He said C-SPAN provides students information about the electoral process and the political process in a way that is long-format and in depth -- an ideal learning tool.

Comcast spokesman Ray Child said the bus tour is a wonderful educational tool for students, but it is also an eye-opener for the public. "It's live and uncut . . . and broadens awareness of the national political scene."

The C-SPAN School Bus embarked on its first tour in 1993 and was joined by a second bus in 1996. Now on its 11th nationwide tour, the C-SPAN School Bus continues to visit schools and cable companies to introduce local and state officials, students, educators and viewers to the political process and C-SPAN programming.

While aboard the bus, visitors learn more about the network's philosophy, programming goals, information and education resources and critical viewing techniques.

"Comcast is proud to sponsor visits to these schools as part of our ongoing commitment to education and public service," said Gary Waterfield, Comcast area vice president. "Through presentations and other events aboard the bus, students, educators and community members can learn how C-SPAN's unique public affairs programming can be used to enhance learning in the classroom."

C-SPAN is a nonprofit network and is available to more than 88 million households nationwide.

E-mail: terickson@desnews.com