Topic: TV/Radio

Saul Rockman and several of the research staff have backgrounds in media and a history of working on radio and television projects. Our work over the years has included evaluations of public television and radio series for children and adults, educational programs for use in schools, video resources for teacher professional development, and Web site materials related to television programs. In more recent years, we have done work for public television stations that are integrating radio/tv and Web platforms for a comprehensive approach to topics. 

Bill Nye the Science Guy Bill Nye the Science Guy is a high energy, inquiry-based educational television program presenting science content directed at fourth grade students... more» Client: KCTS, Seattle Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio

DNA Files SoundVision Productions is developing a sequel to the award-winning DNA Files radio program. It is designed to educate the general public on topics related to genetic science. The accompanying Web site is designed to provide additional educational resources even after the program is off-air. more» Client: SoundVision Productions Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Web Sites

DragonflyTV Rockman et al developed an impact study for the educational television program: DragonflyTV, a science program for and about 9-12 year old children, during its second season… more» Client: Twin Cities Public Television Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio

Evaluation of the Youth Radio Science and Technology Program Youth Radio's (YR) mission is "to promote young people's intellectual, creative and professional growth through training and access to media and to produce the highest quality original media for local and national outlets." Their NSF-funded Science and Technology Program (STP) consists of developing a Digital Technology Institute and YR Science Desk as new components of the existing YR organization. Rockman is evaluating the implementation of the program and its impact on 21st Century Skills, media literacy, attitudes toward technology, and awareness of science in society. more» Client: Youth Radio Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Technology and Education

Exploring Time Twin Cities Public Television, in association with Red Hill Studios, produced the Exploring Time television special and associated outreach material. The goal of the materials is to increase the public's understanding of our world by revealing the unseen world of natural change — the multitude of changes that are occurring in the present but at rates too slow or too fast to be seen. Rockman will evaluate the impact of the Exploring Time television programs and the value-add of the associated Web site. more» Client: Twin Cities Public Television (TCPT) Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education Program (ISE) Topic: TV/Radio, Web Sites, Informational Media

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures REA served as the evaluator of educational outreach activities for a new six-part KQED series called Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Adventure. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: The Dow Chemical Company. Additional Major Support from: the William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation, Ann Bowers and The Robert Noyce Trust, the William and Gretchen Kimball Fund, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Professional Development, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

Media in Informal Science Rockman et al was asked by the National Research Council to write a paper on adults' media-based learning in informal science. The paper includes a comprehensive review of evaluation reports and articles on informal science education media and applicable learning theories. more» Client: National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ National Research Council (NRC) Funding Agency: National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/ National Research Council (NRC) Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Informational Media

NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Science Reports Rockman et al's evaluation incorporated formative elements in a study of the impact of science segments aired during this popular PBS television news show. Reports of the impact study informed further productions over the multi-year project. more» Client: MacNeil/Lehrer Productions Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio

Pathways to Technology The Pathways to Technology project is a multimedia outreach effort created to raise awareness of the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education (ATE) programs, currently operating at community colleges around the country. Rockman et al maintained contact with 15 model community colleges with ATE programs and collected data to examine the use, utility, and adaptability of project resources. more» Client: WGBH Educational Foundation Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, TV/Radio, Community Outreach, Informational Media

Preschool Media Pilot (Ready to Learn) KQED, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) media organization serving northern California, was one of five national entities piloting “Raising Readers,” an online course on language and literacy for pre-school educators and caregivers. KQED was particularly interested in the usability and appeal of Raising Readers for participants from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Working with KQED, REA developed a series of research questions that addressed these concerns. more» Client: KQED Funding Agency: Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, TV/Radio, Web Sites

Science Literacy Project Workshops SoundVision Productions is offering three intensive, five-day science literacy training workshops for mid-career public radio reporters who are involved in reporting the sciences. more» Client: SoundVision Productions Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Energy Topic: TV/Radio, Professional Development, Informational Media

Seeing in the Dark Seeing in the Dark, a documentary film about stargazing directed by Timothy Ferris, is based on Ferris' book (of the same name) that was named by The New York Times as one of the 10 best non-fiction books of 2002. Rockman et al is conducting a formative and summative evaluation of the project's media components, including the appeal and educational value of the film itself, as well as its accompanying Web site. more» Client: Tim Ferris Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Web Sites, Informational Media