Jackson-Olin High's library now holds JO Studio: a podcast booth, music console, green-screen video suite, 3D printers and T-shirt presses, built with Ed Farm.

P.D. Jackson-Olin High School has opened a technology studio in its library, giving students a place to record podcasts and music, shoot video and make things.

The school cut the ribbon on the space, called JO Studio, on Thursday, Oct. 22. Birmingham City Schools announced the opening the same day.

What is in JO Studio

According to the district, the space includes:

  • a podcasting studio
  • a music recording console
  • a video production suite with a green screen
  • 3D printers
  • T-shirt presses
A tablet on a stand shows a green-screen video edit of two Jackson-Olin students presenting a homecoming game-night weather forecast.
A homecoming weather segment being edited in JO Studio's green-screen video suite. Photo: courtesy of Birmingham City Schools

Who built it and how it was paid for

The studio was outfitted with Ed Farm, the Birmingham education technology nonprofit.

The money came from a prize. Christina Norman, the district’s textbook and library media coordinator, won $10,000 for completing a scavenger hunt at Ed Farm’s Future of Learning Summit, the district said, and the prize funded JO Studio.

A pathway from middle school to high school

Ed Farm has already installed similar spaces at six other Birmingham City Schools:

  • South Hampton K-8 School
  • Bush Hills STEAM Academy
  • Green Acres Middle School
  • Oxmoor Valley Elementary School
  • Huffman Middle School
  • C.W. Hayes K-8 School

Three of those, South Hampton, Bush Hills and Green Acres, feed into Jackson-Olin. The district said the new studio creates a technology pathway through the Jackson-Olin feeder pattern. Students start learning the skills in the lower grades and keep building them in high school.

Ed Farm plans to open technology hubs at West End Academy and Booker T. Washington K-8 School before the end of this school year, the district said.

What it means for you

  • If your child attends Jackson-Olin, ask the school library about using JO Studio for class projects, clubs or homecoming and sports coverage.
  • Families at South Hampton, Bush Hills STEAM Academy and Green Acres Middle now have a matching studio waiting at the high school their children feed into.
  • West End Academy and Booker T. Washington K-8 families should see a similar space before the school year ends, if Ed Farm’s plan holds.

Our Jackson-Olin High School page has the school’s grades, enrollment and contact details.