My eighth-grade students built our school newscast from scratch with Gemini.
An Illinois middle school’s eighth-graders created their first student newscast, The Cougar Rumble, using Google’s Gemini to design the brand and plan weekly broadcasts.
An Illinois middle school’s eighth-grade students launched the school’s first-ever newscast, The Cougar Rumble, starting with no name, logo, or established brand. Using Google’s Gemini alongside Google Docs and Slides, the students developed the show from the ground up. They collaborated on initial concepts, used Gemini to identify common themes in their logo sketches, and generated prompts to refine their brand kit. The same workflow now supports weekly broadcasts, helping teams polish scripts and organize shot lists before filming.
The teacher, who oversees the Middle School Computer Science and Technology program at Carriel Junior High in O’Fallon, Illinois, guided students through the process. Students used Gemini as a creative partner to brainstorm ideas, refine concepts, and streamline production tasks for their newscast. The tool complemented their work in Google Docs and Slides, enabling faster iteration on scripts and visuals. Rather than replacing their creativity, the technology expanded their ability to develop and execute original ideas.
The Cougar Rumble represents the first student-produced newscast at Carriel Junior High, marking a milestone for the school’s media program. Students designed the show’s name, logo, and brand identity using Gemini’s assistance to synthesize their input. Weekly broadcasts now rely on the same workflow, with teams using the tool to prepare scripts and shot lists before filming sessions. The project demonstrates how AI tools can support student-led media production in an educational setting.
The teacher emphasized that tools like Gemini do not replace student creativity but provide additional opportunities for brainstorming and revision. Students used the platform to identify themes in their logo sketches and generate prompts for refining their brand kit. The workflow has since become integral to planning weekly newscast episodes, helping teams organize and polish their content before production. The project highlights the practical application of AI in student-driven media projects.