U-High Midway Audio

Create, connect, console: Teens find comfort in music

In a stressful world, music provides teenagers with a safe space. Songs express feelings and experiences, helping teens navigate their emotions and providing them a creative outlet.

Second pandemic spring break feels closer to normal

From concerts to holiday celebrations, the pandemic put a pause on many traditions for students and their families including the somewhat trivial yet nevertheless important pastime of vacationing for break. After a year of staying at home with family and remaining socially distanced with friends, several U-High students took the opportunity of a lull in COVID-19 cases and optimistic news surrounding vaccinations to plan safe travels for themselves and their families over spring break.

Your living canvas: Students share experiences getting tattoos

Tattoos are extremely popular in today's society, and they'll be on your skin forever. We see them on celebrities, activists and even your neighbor. A handful of U-High students have taken great interest in the idea of tattoos, how to get them to get them and why. 

Comparing to community: Students struggle with living up to expectations they see online

With social media more prevalent in teenagers' lives than ever, this audio story explores some of the negative aspects of apps like Instagram. A counselor shares the psychological effects of social media, and a student tells how they attempt to spread light, rather than negativity, on these platforms.

Bat flips add danger, excitement to baseball games

Every year there is conflict between pitchers and hitters when a hitter flips his bat after a homerun. Fans are not shy about taking sides.

Environmental Activism with Orla Malloy

As a teenagers growing up in an age of growing environmental awareness, it’s easy to get caught between caring about the environment and not knowing what steps to take to make a difference. What does it really mean for an average person to live sustainably and for teenagers to actively show care for the environment? 

More than just a face in a box: Distance learning creates obstacles to forming relationships

How have student-teacher interactions changed? How are students establishing relationships with teachers they have never met in person before, and how are teachers getting to know the 20 small faces on their screen? The awkwardness of synchronous sessions leading to a magnified importance of office hours seems to be part of the answer, but the subtle things matter. 

True crime genre grows in popularity

True Crime is a peculiar yet incredibly popular genre. Podcasts, videos, TV shows, and movies are only growing in popularity, especially among teenagers. What interests people about True Crime, and what affect can the genre have?

Music of Carlo Gesualdo finds new relevance

The composer Carlo Gesualdo used his life experiences and musical innovations to bring new levels of expression to Italian Renaissance music. Centuries later, it connects to us because we have entered a state of common suffering through the pandemic, and we can look to his example of using art for expression. This podcast includes a public domain performance from the MIT Chamber Chorus via Wikimedia.

Will Gen Z ‘be the change’?

Though the statement that the younger generation will change the world may be said with good intentions, it often feels performative and an excuse made by adults.