The Interactive Video Science Consortium is a non-profit group of fifteen science centers and museums that developed interactive video exhibits about Earth and Planetary sciences with two purposes in mind. One, the videodisc-based kiosk exhibits served as educational vehicles for four million visitors, representing the combined audiences of the fifteen participating museums. Two, through extensive testing and visitor research during the development process, the consortium members enlarged understanding of the appropriate and effective uses of the interactive video medium in science museums
The Hansen Planetarium proposes the creation, writing, and production of a 50-minute star theatre program, Cosmic Catastrophes: A Planet At Risk?, aimed at informally educating over a million individuals regarding the vulnerability of our Earth. The further production of four interactive exhibits is planned to accompany the program. This program will be marketed and distributed at a nominal charge to 250 national planetariums, with 50 additional production packets planned for loan. In this fashion, top-quality, accurate, and timely science education can be guaranteed to a large selection of audiences. Scientific research tells us that catastrophes of global and interplanetary proportions have happened in the past, there is evidence that they could occur in the present, and they pose an imminent danger in the future. The utilization of expert consultants, in conjunction with Hansen Planetarium staff, will insure this program presents the most current information available about these cosmic catastrophes. Its interactive format is designed to stimulate a proactive approach to problem solution on the part of the audience, especially in reference to ecological or environmental issues. The star show format, with its dynamic special effects, will make scientific theories surrounding cosmic catastrophes accessible and excitiong.
William Miles, an award winning Black documentary filmmaker, will collaborate with WNET, New York to produce "Black Stars In Orbit," an hour-long television documentary for PBS broadcast on black astronauts and black Americans' contributions to America's space program. The program will utilize personal interviews with archival footage, family photographs, and news headlines to profile such individuals as Edward Dwight, Jr., Guion Bluford, Jr., Ronald McNair, Frederick Gregory, Patricia Cowings-Johnson and Robert Shurney. Videotape copies of the program will be made available for use by national organizations concerned with encouraging black youth in science and engineering. This film project has a substantial opportunity to reinforce science and engineering role models for black youth. Approximately 50% of the $450,000 project budget will be provided by NSF.
WQED/Pittsburgh plans to produce SPACE AGE, a major eight-hour prime time PBS television series on space sciences for airing in 1992, coinciding with the Columbus Quincentennial Celebration and the inauguration of the International Space Year (ISY). Produced in association with the National Academy of Sciences, the $7.2 million series will comprehensively document the extensive influence of space activity from scientific, technological, economic and social perspectives. International co-operation and co- production support from several nations will insure that topics are treated globally, rather than nationally. WQED will develop collateral educational materials and a trade book for popular audiences; eight years of off air taping rights for pre-college teachers will be provided. The series should be viewed by more than seven to twelve million viewers on 320 PBS stations. NSF support will amount to approximately 9% of the $7.2 million project total.
The Interactive Video Science Consortium is a non-profit group of fifteen science centers and museums that proposes to develop interactive video exhibits about Earth and Planetary sciences with two purposes in mind. One, the video exhibits on the two subject areas will serve as educational vehicles for four million visitors, representing the combined audiences of the fifteen participating museums. Two, through extensive testing and visitor research during the development process the consortium members will enlarge understanding of the appropriate and effective uses of the interactive video medium in science museums. Consortium members will fund the costs of conducting research on the subject matter and producing the first two discs. The request to the National Science Foundation is for the systematic analysis of the effectiveness of this type of program and of the educational impact of the medium in science museums.