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Advan. Physiol. Edu. 31: 1-4, 2007; doi:10.1152/advan.00030.2006
1043-4046/07 $8.00
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ADV PHYSIOL EDUC 31:1-4, 2007
© 2007 American Physiological Society

A PERSONAL VIEW

Desert Survivors: the design and implementation of a television program to enhance local scientific literacy

Jenifer C. Utz1, Candice M. Rausch1, Laurie Fruth2, Megan E. Thomas1 and Frank van Breukelen1

1 School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada
2 Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: F. van Breukelen, School of Life Sciences, Univ. of Nevada, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154 (e-mail: frank.vanbreukelen{at}unlv.edu)

Abstract

Outreach efforts by faculty members are oftentimes limited in scope due to hectic schedules. We developed a program to enhance science literacy in elementary school children that allows experts to reach a tremendous audience while minimizing their time commitment. The foundation of the program is a television series entitled "Desert Survivors." The episodes air on local cable access television and are available to teachers on DVD. Each episode features a guest expert who spotlights a particular organism and how that organism overcomes the myriad of hardships inherent to desert survival. Local classrooms are visited to solicit questions from students regarding the organism of interest. These videotaped questions are integrated into Desert Survivors television production and provide the guest expert with the basis to discuss the ecology, physiology, and evolutionary biology of the organism. The program is bolstered through the use of an interactive website. Assessment strategies are in place to ensure program efficacy. Herein, we describe the development of the program as a model for innovative outreach opportunities.

Key words: elementary education; outreach; integrated learning






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