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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将展示让8至13岁的儿童参与科学奇迹的可行性，并通过跨媒体SCIENTASTIC应用科学原理！项目。这项研究还将证明，这部电视剧将帮助学生为自己和他们的社区回答问题和解决问题。美国公众支持科学知识的进步，我们对科学研究的投资走在了世界前列。然而，美国人在培养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，我们将展示SCIENTASTIC！鼓励通过探索、提问和思考进行实践学习。创新的电视节目和整合的同伴资源提供了科学的榜样，并以娱乐性的方式展示了科学的过程。相关的网站、应用程序、Web 2.0存储库和教具允许学生、教师和家长进一步探索节目中介绍的概念。初步分析表明，SCIENTASTIC！目标观众喜欢这个节目，会观看这个节目，并从这个节目中学到了东西。进一步的分析将证明，跨媒体的方法增加了观众的兴趣和学习。这个项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将在鼓励学生在大学学习STEM课程、追求科学职业和成为了解科学的选民方面发挥变革性的作用。通过发展故事之外的故事，跨媒体科学！具有很强的商业价值。通过公共电视传播，使潜在受众达到2.5亿人。商业性和非商业性赞助将与相关的直播积分一起出售。将从有兴趣促进科学和健康素养的行业寻求额外的直接资金。该节目的商业版本将以许可的方式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、在家上学的学生和家长。通过广泛和商业上可行的传播，SCIENTASTIC！将通过在现实世界中演示和参与动手的、基于团队的学习来向孩子们展示科学的乐趣。这一过程将提高学生的留存率，并将表明SCIENTASTIC！介绍新的学习方法。SCIENTASTIC！该项目将评估教学技术信息，这些信息将与政策制定者、教育机构和教师共享，以改善全国的教育。通过传播让孩子们参与数学和科学的成功方法，SCIENTASTIC！这将产生巨大的社会效益，造就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.