BLOOM Youth Journalism Conference
Empowering the next generation of environmental storytellers.
A one-day conference in South Bend, Indiana for high school students to learn environmental journalism, connect with professionals, and tell stories that matter.
February 2027 (Date TBD) · Indiana University South Bend (IUSB)
Schedule
A day built to put young reporters on the story.
Doors 9:00 AM
Close 5:00 PM
-
9:00AM
Welcome & Sign-In
Auditorium
-
9:30AM
Environmental Hot Topics
Classrooms
-
11:00AM
Food for Thought
Classrooms
-
12:30PM
Catered Lunch & Networking
Dining Area
-
1:30PM
Pick Your Medium
Classrooms
-
3:00PM
Story Pitch Session
Auditorium
-
4:00PM
Optional Reception & Interview Hour
Common Area
- Opening
- Workshop
- Break
- Pitch
BLOOM in Action
What to expect at BLOOM 2027
Featured Speakers
Voices shaping BLOOM 2027
Keynote
Elena Krueper
BLOOM Conference Founder · Indiana University Bloomington
"Welcome to BLOOM 2027"
Keynote
Grace Estes
Workshop Facilitator, BLOOM 2027 · Indiana University
"Diversifying the Narrative"
Keynote
Anjali Pal
Journalism Workshop Lead · Youth Environmental Press Team
"Written Journalism Workshop"
Keynote
Dr. Suzannah Comfort
Photojournalism Workshop Lead · Indiana University
"Photojournalism Workshop"
Partner With BLOOM
Support BLOOM 2027
BLOOM brings together 150+ northern Indiana participants, including high school students, educators, IU mentors, environmental journalists, faculty, and community professionals, for a day of hands-on storytelling and civic engagement.
- Support free attendance for high school students across the northern Indiana region.
- Connect your organization with the next generation of environmental communicators.
- Fund the publication of student journalism in print and on YEPT.org.
Partner Spotlight
Earth Charter Indiana
Funding, advertising, and coordination partner for BLOOM 2027, supporting registration and community outreach.
Workshop Tracks
Three tracks, one conversation
Environmental Hot Topics
Exploring the environmental issues shaping Indiana and beyond.
Food for Thought
Climate psychology, media literacy, and diverse environmental narratives.
Pick Your Medium
Short film, photojournalism, and written journalism workshops.
Workshops
Hands-on sessions
Biodiversity and Tree Plantings
Doom and Gloom: Climate Psychology
Media Literacy and Fact-Based Journalism
Data Centers, AI, and the Environment
Short Film Production
Diana
Written Journalism
Anjali and YEPT Leaders
Photojournalism
Dr. Comfort
For Schools & Students
BLOOM is built for high school journalists.
"BLOOM gave my students a chance to connect their voices to real environmental issues in their own communities. They left with mentors, skills, and stories worth telling."
BLOOM Educator Partner
Northern Indiana Region
Latest Updates
News & announcements
Nov 10, 2025
BLOOM 2027 announced, coming to Indiana University South Bend this February
Nov 17, 2025
Registration now open. Attendance is free for all high school students.
Nov 24, 2025
Earth Charter Indiana confirmed as funding and coordination partner
Dec 01, 2025
BLOOM partners with Good Shepherd and Stanley Clark schools for outreach
February 2027 · IUSB
Tell a story that matters.
Registration is free for every high school student in northern Indiana. Lunch and a post-conference mentor are included.