High school students from around Georgia have converged on CNN Center at the Georgia Tech campus for the sixth annual Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience for a weeklong series of training sessions and discussions focused on media literacy. CNN Worldwide and the 21st Century Leaders are hosting t the diverse group of high school juniors and seniors selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across the state.

Each workshop will be a dynamic, interactive experience led by CNN executives and journalists, including the CNN Student News staff. The presentations and workshops will focus on a wide range of topics including diversity, ethics in media, and audience engagement.

The curriculum for Leadership Unplugged was developed by the CNN Student News team of journalists and educators. “Leadership Unplugged introduces students to the skills they need to be savvy news consumers and contributors,” said Donna Krache, executive producer of CNN Student News. “The media literacy skills they learn, combined with their exposure to CNN executives and media professionals gives students a unique opportunity to experience journalism and the business of media at the headquarters of the world’s news leader.”

Following the classes and workshops, the students will work in teams to develop a story idea based upon the lessons they have learned. The week concludes with the student teams presenting their proposals before a panel of judges comprised of CNN and TBS executives.