Columbus Students Produced Finalist Podcast
Two fifth-graders from Barrington Elementary earned national recognition for their career-focused podcast.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Primary Education
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Abigail Stettler and Zoey Nolan, fifth-grade students at Barrington Elementary School in Columbus, have seen their podcast, Careers Kids Consider, named a finalist in the NPR Student Podcast Challenge. The project highlights the duo's interest in exploring adult professional experiences.
Why it matters
The project reflects a growing student interest in career exploration and vocational storytelling, providing a platform for kids to engage directly with working professionals. By interviewing community experts, the students gained firsthand insight into the motivations and realities behind various career paths.
The podcast features interviews with three professionals, including a principal, a pediatrician, and a veterinary professor. The project was recognized as a national finalist in the NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
The players
Abigail Stettler
A fifth-grade student at Barrington Elementary School who co-produced the finalist podcast.
Zoey Nolan
A fifth-grade student at Barrington Elementary School who co-produced the finalist podcast.
Nichole Cooper
The principal at Barrington Elementary School who participated in the podcast interviews.
Kimberly Stettler
A pediatrician at Nationwide Children's Hospital who provided career insight for the project.
Valerie Parker
A professor for veterinary medicine at Ohio State University interviewed by the students.
The details
To create the podcast, Abigail Stettler and Zoey Nolan conducted interviews with local professionals to learn about their career motivations and daily experiences. They recorded and produced these conversations to explore the realities of being an adult in the workforce. The students engaged with a principal, a pediatrician, and a veterinary professor to gather diverse perspectives for their final production.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The podcast was featured on South Carolina Public Radio.
The Home Front
The project aligns with the national trend of student-led media initiatives aimed at fostering communication and critical thinking skills. This recognition marks the expansion of classroom projects into broader educational platforms beyond the school district.
Parents can encourage similar curiosity by discussing their own career motivations and daily work experiences with their children. Consider supporting student projects that involve interviewing family friends or local professionals to build communication skills.
The takeaway
Engaging kids in active listening and interview-based learning can turn academic interests into recognized achievements. Consider finding a local topic or community expert for your children to interview as a creative, skill-building alternative to traditional screen time.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest student initiatives in our Primary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by South Carolina Public Radio.
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