Montana Media Lab

The Montana Media Lab is looking for classrooms to partner with this fall! Do you know of a high school near Missoula that would be interested in our hands-on journalism workshops? Fill out the school recruitment form in our bio!

The Montana Media Lab Youth Voices program partners with classrooms and teen programs in rural and Indigenous communities around Montana to lead journalism workshops, culminating in a radio piece covering a story important to students in their area.

This fall, we're looking for schools within an hour and a half of Missoula to report student-driven stories with. We'd love to work with you!

Questions? Email our Youth Voices program coordinator [email protected].

Meet Montana Media Lab Youth Voices Intern Haven Sager!

Haven (she/her) is a recent University of Montana graduate with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and criminology. Born and raised in Wilsall, Montana, she discovered her passion for writing in her high school English classroom. Throughout college, Haven gained experience across several areas of journalism, including broadcasting with KBGA, reporting for the Montana Kaimin, and feature writing for Mongabay and Montana Journalism Abroad. Outside of journalism, she enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and working with kids at the YMCA. Through her experiences at the University of Montana, Haven has developed a deep appreciation for the power of connection, communication, and curiosity. She is excited to share those values with Youth Voices students through the Montana Media Lab and believes that everyone has a story worth telling.

Upon the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn, students from the Crow Reservation took to the battlefield during a reenactment to gather meaningful interviews. They talked to dozens of attendees, including observers, reenactors and event planners.

What brings all these different walks of life to the reenactment? Why is it still impactful and relevant today? What part does each person play in order to make this huge event a success?

These young journalists found answers to all these questions, and more. Along the way, they learned and practiced all kinds of skills they'll use throughout their careers and educations--from research, to narrative construction, to interpersonal skills.

Keep an eye out for the final story these students created.

Meet Montana Media Lab Youth Voices Intern Abigail Stenkamp!

Abi (she/her) is a University of Montana undergraduate journalism student with a minor in media arts. She was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. Abi writes for the Montana Kaimin, manages intramural sports social media accounts, plays on the women's lacrosse team and is an active member of Delta Gamma. Through all of these programs, she has developed an understanding of how individuals can make an impact in their communities. Abigail hopes to spark the flame of tenacity towards journalism in Youth Voices students and give them the tools to tell stories within their communities.

Best So Far 2026 on Apple Podcasts Listen to the latest selections from our editors.

We're thrilled that the podcast we produced in collaboration with University of Montana School of Journalism has been named one of Apple Podcast's "Best So Far" shows of 2026.

The teens who participated in the Media Lab’s first journalism apprenticeship in Browning made really impactful journalism! We are so proud of the work these reporters put into researching, photographing, asking questions on the street, and interviewing Blackfeet Tribal Business Council candidates. The apprentices created profiles for each of the 10 candidates who won the primary election for the five districts on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. This work-based learning opportunity will open doors for them throughout their careers and educations.

Thank you to Medicine Spring Library and Blackfeet Community College for hosting the Media Lab and these apprentices.

Check out their work here: https://www.montanamedialab.com/apprentices-report-blackfeet-tribal-business-council-candidate-profiles/

We're hiring a Youth Voices Field Coordinator! Support teens in rural and Indigenous communities as they learn vital journalism skills and create important stories in their own voices. The person in this role will serve as a lead instructor and logistics coordinator for Montana Media Lab teen journalism workshops.

Details are here: https://www.montanamedialab.com/apply-youth-voices-field-coordinator/

This job will entail 70-90 days of work across the calendar year. Travel will be required. Pay is $25 per hour.

Applications, including a letter of interest, resume and list of 3 references are due Thursday, July 9 at 11:59 p.m. via email.

Questions? Email Montana Media Lab Director Mary Auld at [email protected]