WFSU Broadcast Center Visit
The High School/High Tech Program (HS/HT) had the opportunity to visit the WFSU Broadcast Center in January. WFSU is home to three radio stations 88.9, 91.5, and 89.1 as well as two television stations channel 4 and PBS. They first began broadcasting over 40 years ago and have since expanded to cover everything from news to children’s entertainment! For those of you who may think Mr. Rogers or Sesame Street are a thing of the past, HS/HT students can testify to the contrary. PBS runs these shows and has huge character cut outs scattered about the lobby and stairwell. The students were especially taken with the larger than life Big Bird and Clifford, which you can see in the pictures below!
General Manager, Patrick Keating and Director of Productions, Mike Dunn recounted the history of television and radio and informed students about what the future holds for these areas of public broadcast. HS/HT students learned about the emerging technology of high definition television and were given the opportunity to visit a production set and storm the control room!
HS/HT students now know why the president continually looks from left to right during his speeches. He does this because his speech is displayed on two pieces of glass giving the illusion that he is trying to address everyone. They also learned why there are delays during live TV interviews with people who are a long distance away. The delays are due to the fact that the signal, traveling at the speed of light, must be bounced through a series of satellites before it reaches its destination. These are just two examples of the many facts learned by the students while touring the WFSU Broadcasting Center.
The High School/High Tech Program would like to thank WFSU for a wonderful tour and learning opportunity!