A select group of northern Nevada high school students who will be seniors this fall have a unique two-week opportunity from June 16-26 to learn as much as they can about digital media technology at the Smallwood Multimedia Boot Camp at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

 Funded by the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation since 2010, the camp will immerse 10 students in a wide range of media and research training provided by the faculty and staff from the Knowledge Center's @One Digital Media Technology Department, other departments on campus and community professionals.  

"Students will acquire skills in the boot camp that will serve them in any working environment. Gaining fundamental media literacy, both in understanding the message as well as how to create meaning in the message using digital multimedia tools, has become as important for today's generation as understanding how to use Microsoft Word," Mark Gandolfo, boot camp director and director of @One Digital Media Technology, said.  

Students are in an environment where they can learn about expressive tools such as 3-D graphics, animation, audio, film and video production, and other interactive media such as websites. The equipment and training tools are all provided by the Knowledge Center.  

"This is an opportunity to help students understand their own potential and the possibilities that exist for them," Gandolfo said. "We introduce them to the University and to concepts they've never considered such as 'How do you tell a story nonverbally, and how do you craft a message?'"  

"We work closely with other University faculty. This year we're taking the students to the psychology lab so they begin to understand the fundamentals of perception. They'll also go to the robotics lab, which uses imaging for control systems, and to journalism to work with a professor whose specialty is media innovation and the importance of play and creativity. Our students will be given playful exercises designed to increase their creativity."  

Working professionals from the community will also share their expertise with the students. They include a graphic artist, a digital media projects producer, a digital cinematographer and a social media/web expert. To learn more about them, go to https://www.facebook.com/smallwood.bootcamp.  

The Multimedia Boot Camp is provided free of charge to students thanks to a grant from the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation. Participating students are also allowed to use the Knowledge Center and all it has to offer throughout their senior year in high school.