SBIR Phase I: Evaluation of SCIENTASTIC! - A Trans-Media and Public Television Series for Ages 8 to 13

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将证明通过跨媒体科学让8至13岁的儿童参与科学奇迹和科学原理应用的可行性！项目这项研究还将证明，电视连续剧将帮助学生回答问题，并为自己和他们的社区解决问题。美国公众支持科学知识的进步，我们在科学研究方面的投资领先于世界。然而，美国人在教育下一代科学家方面落后了。小学后期是吸引学生注意力并让他们参与STEM活动的理想时间。使用严格的评估技术，我们将证明，科学！鼓励通过探索、提问和思考进行实践学习。创新的电视节目和综合配套资源提供了科学的榜样，并以娱乐的方式展示了科学的过程。相关的网站，应用程序，Web 2.0存储库和教学辅助工具，让学生，教师和家长进一步探索在显示介绍的概念。初步分析显示，科学！目标观众喜欢这个节目，会观看这个节目并从中学习。进一步的分析将表明，跨媒体方法增加了观众的兴趣和学习。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力将在鼓励学生在大学学习STEM课程，追求科学事业，并成为科学知情的选民方面发挥变革性作用。通过超越故事发展故事，跨媒体科学！具有很强的商业价值。通过公共电视进行传播，可使潜在观众达到2.5亿人。商业和非商业性船舶将与相关的空中信贷出售。将从对促进科学和健康素养感兴趣的行业寻求额外的直接资金。该计划的商业版本将在许可的基础上提供给有线电视网络，DVD、应用程序和学习指南将出售给学校、在家上学的人和家长。随着广泛和商业上可行的传播，科学！将通过展示和参与实践，在现实世界的背景下，以团队为基础的学习，向孩子们展示科学的乐趣。 这个过程将提高学生的保留，并将表明，科学！引入了新的学习方式。科学！该项目将评估教学技术信息，与决策者、教育机构和教师分享，以改善全国的教育。通过传播成功的方法，让孩子们参与数学和科学，科学！将产生重大社会效益，培养一代受过科学教育的决策者。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of engaging children ages 8 to 13 in the wonders of science and the application of scientific principles through the transmedia SCIENTASTIC! project. The study will also demonstrate that the television series will help students answer questions and solve problems for themselves and their community. The American public supports the advancement of scientific knowledge and our investment in scientific research leads the world. However, Americans are falling behind in educating the next generation of scientists. Late elementary school is an ideal time to capture students' attention and engage them in STEM activities. Using rigorous evaluation techniques we will show that SCIENTASTIC! encourages hands-on learning by exploration, questioning and thinking. The innovative television program and integrated companion resources provide scientific role models and demonstrate the scientific process in an entertaining way. The associated web site, Apps, Web 2.0 repository and teaching aids allow students, teachers, and parents to further explore concepts introduced in the show. Preliminary analysis reveals that the SCIENTASTIC! target audience liked the show, would watch the show and learned from the show. Further analysis will demonstrate that the transmedia approach increases viewer interest and learning.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will play a transformative role in encouraging students to take STEM courses in college, pursue scientific careers, and become a scientifically informed electorate. By developing the story beyond the story, transmedia SCIENTASTIC! has strong commercial value. Dissemination through public television allows for a potential audience of 250 million people. Commercial and noncommercial sponsorships will be sold with associated on-air credits. Additional direct funding will be sought from industries with interests in promoting science and health literacy. A commercial version of the program will be offered to cable networks on a licensing basis, with DVDs, Apps and study guides sold to schools, homeschoolers, and parents. With a broad and commercially viable dissemination, SCIENTASTIC! will show children the joys of science by demonstrating and engaging in hands-on, team- based learning in real-world contexts. This process will improve student retention and will show that SCIENTASTIC! introduces new ways to learn. The SCIENTASTIC! project will evaluate teaching techniques information that will be shared with policy-makers, educational institutions, and teachers to improve education nationwide. By spreading successful methods for engaging children in math and science, SCIENTASTIC! shoiuld have significant societal benefit creating a generation of scientifically educated decision-makers.