PBS NewsHour STEM StoryMaker: Project-based learning for youth health literacy and biomedical career awareness through journalism and storytelling

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Project Summary/Abstract The need for health literacy and a diverse, socially-conscious health workforce is more evident than ever after two and a half years navigating a global pandemic, and growing mental health and environmental health crises. This proposal from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL), a teen-driven program from the nation’s most trusted news source, builds from the successes of previous SEPA work to provide high school youth with: 1.) tools to create evidence-based and ethically responsible journalism (primarily 1-4 minute videos) about critical health issues that impact their communities; 2.) introductions and inroads to health science careers that use storytelling to engage a diverse range of students; and 3.) strategies for effective communication around health science, including intergenerational dialogue and social media best-practices, for the general public. The initiative will provide a strong foundation of support for teens, educators, and other SEPA program leaders to produce high-quality content distributed to peers through an extensive student journalism network, online learning platforms, and traditional and digital broadcasting. A previous SEPA summative evaluation largely serves as the front-end evaluation for this proposed project. Researchers at Knology will use Year 1 to update all evaluation instruments and create a mixed-methods evaluation with students and educators in years 2-4 of the grant for both formative and summative purposes. Findings will measure the impact on programs and participants, including other SEPA projects, and result in a map of the full ecosystem of health learning opportunities created during the grant period and their effectiveness, including student-created stories, health practitioner profiles, lesson plans and other learning opportunities. Student-produced videos will be supplemented with expertly- crafted educational resources distributed to a wide national audience of teachers, formal and informal educators, and STEM program leaders. Through these elements – student health journalism, health science career content, and storytelling strategies for science communication – the project will drive engagement and understanding around health science and public health in young people to support an informed, inquisitive, and involved citizenry.