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COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Sci-Squad

April 15, 1998 - March 31, 2001 | Media and Technology, Public Programs
KCTS is producing Sci-Squad, a national weekly science education television series for children ages 8 to 10. The thirteen half-hour programs in the series will show a team of kids, the Sci-Squad, who use inquire and collaboration to seek the solution to a science problem. The team is led by Howzit, a young woman computer whiz. Working cooperatively the team investigates each scientific subject through a combination of first-hand experimentation, Internet surfing, field research, and visits to real-world scientists. Each of the characters models a different mode of science inquiry in search to a question the team receives at the beginning of each program. Youth who view the programs will be encouraged to follow along with the Sci-Squad and will be challenged to observe, measure, think critically, analyze results, and devise further experiments. Outreach materials to support science activities by viewers include an Explorer's Guide for youth, a Parents Guide, and a Guide for Teachers. There also will be collaborations with science and youth serving organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of America, Family Math, GEMS, Science Linkages in the Community, the National Science Teachers Association, the National PTA, and, for the Hispanic population, ASPIRA and the National Council of La Raza. Bill Jersey, President of Quest Productions, will be the Senior Producer, Director, and Co-Project Director. The creator of the project and Co-Project Director is Pierre Valette, a producer and writer of documentaries for Quest Productions and previously an Associate Producer in Children's Programming at WGBH. Elizabeth Brock will be the Executive-in-Charge of Production for KCTS. The Senior Science Consultant is Ted Ansbacher who previously was Director of Exhibits at the New York Hall of Science and Director of Education/Senior Scientist at The Chicago Museum of Science.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9725381
Funding Amount: 1353388

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Bill Jersey
    Principal Investigator
    Quest Productions
  • Pierre Valette
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Quest Productions
  • Elizabeth Brock
    Co-Principal Investigator
    KCTS Television
  • Jeff Gentes
    Co-Principal Investigator
    KCTS Television
  • 2013 06 04 B Flagg Photo
    Evaluator
    Multimedia Research
  • Discipline: General STEM | Nature of science
    Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Parents/Caregivers | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Broadcast Media | Public Programs | Community Outreach Programs
    Access and Inclusion: Ethnic/Racial | Hispanic/Latinx Communities

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