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Depicting Science, Engineering and Technology
Reaching kids through
'informal education'
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Profile On: Real Life Learning
During EIC’s Think Tank on Engineering, held in Washington, D.C., professionals in the science, technology, engineering and math fields gathered to discuss a blueprint for action that would engage young people in pursuing careers in the professional fields related to science, engineering and technology. These action items were grouped into three pillars. One such pillar was education and the creation of engaging activities that get kids excited about these fields.
The Center for Children at the University of Chicago found a relationship between participating in after-school activities and higher-class attendance, lower course failures and higher graduation rates in 2007. The key to reaching these children is to create an atmosphere outside of the classroom that encourages them to explore, experiment, and dream big. The entertainment industry plays a key role in creating this type of environment outside of the classroom. With S.E.T. Award honored productions like Nova, Through the Wormhole, and NBCLearn young people are engaged in new technology, experiments, and encouraged to ask questions about the world around them. Even scripted S.E.T. Award honorees like last year’s Burn Notice and this year’s NCIS have the ability to walk the audience through experiments that may be attempted at home or in the classroom making science more relatable and less intimidating.
Think about ways that you can engage your audience in themes related to science, engineering and technology by using your characters and their experiences to encourage them to explore and question the world around them. Putting your characters into interesting situations where they can do simple experiments is not only exciting for your audience. It also gives you a moment to showcase the ingenuity of your character and their ability to manage any situation. This also provides your production with the opportunity to create an immersive experience that encourages your audience to explore online and learn more.
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