Attend
BLOOM is free for everyone who attends.
Students, teachers, IU mentors and community members all attend at no cost. The conference is Friday, Feb. 19, 2027, at Indiana University South Bend.
Who comes to BLOOM
More than 150 people attend. They include high school students from across northern Indiana, their teachers, IU student mentors, faculty and environmental professionals. Students take three workshops and end the day by pitching a story to a panel of journalists and professors. No journalism experience is needed.
- Free for everyone. Students, teachers, chaperones, IU mentors and community members attend at no cost.
- Lunch included. Every attendee gets a catered lunch, with vegetarian options.
- Mentors for selected pitches. Students whose pitches are selected work with a YEPT mentor to prepare their story for publication.
Who it’s for
Find the page for your role
High school students
Three workshops, lunch and a chance to pitch a story to journalists. No experience needed.
Educators
Bring a class. We work with your school on group registration and chaperones.
IU students and mentors
Lead a workshop, judge pitches, host a lunch table or mentor a student after the conference.
Organizations
Table at the networking lunch, send a speaker or sponsor a school’s attendance.
Before you go