Students throughout the Oklahoma City area are making movies as part of their basic education.  Video production by K-12 students is playing a major teaching role across the U.S., with stand-alone, student-friendly editing systems called Casablancas now being used in schools everywhere, including Westmoore High School, where kids produce videos to learn business and technical skills as well as for English class projects.
Over 4,000 schools across the country have this equipment, and producing videos for core classes is the new trend.  Over 15 middle schools, junior highs and high schools in Oklahoma City use Casablancas.  Teachers say it gives students of all ages and abilities an opportunity to become involved in team projects, which help them learn.

Westmoore senior Krystle Garman recently produced a video on how the school and its students connect with the community---including participating in blood drives in times of need, which won first place in the state school video competition March 11-12 in Tulsa.  In addition to blood drives, the video highlights students participating in food drives, Big Sister/Big Brother programs, and safe holiday celebrations.  Susan Smoot, media production teacher, works with many teachers at the school to provide ways for students to produce videos for class projects and presentations.  The teachers say it really helps the students learn the subject matter.