Zillions: You Test It

June 10th, 1992 - November 30th, 1993 | PROJECT

Consumer Reports Television will produce a series of four half- hour TV specials and companion outreach materials, called "YOU TEST IT|," for public television broadcast and broad educational and home video distribution. Targeted for children ages 7 to 13 -- particularly those from low-income, minority families -- the project will draw on the resources of Consumers Union, the non- profit, scientific, research and education organization that publishes Consumer Reports magazine and ZILLIONS, the Consumer Reports for Kids. The "YOU TEST IT| series, created by an experienced team of children's TV producers, focuses on testing and evaluating popular products -- from observing the bubble-power of bubble gum to measuring the efficiency of 10-speed bicycles. Using lively, state-of-the-art techniques appealing to kids, "YOU TEST IT|" will encourage children to use science and math skills to investigate and, ultimately, solve real-world problems. Each of the 4 programs will cover a broad product theme such as Foods/Snacks, Toys/Games, Sports/Recreation, and Electronic Gear. Activity Guides, expanding on these topics, will delve more deeply into the science content of each show, providing hands-on learning materials for children. With repeated broadcasts of "YOU TEST IT|" over hundreds of PBS stations, and reuse of tape and print materials, millions of children will gain greater access to objective product information and greater awareness of science and its importance in everyday life.

Project Website(s)

(no project website provided)

Team Members

Joyce Newman, Principal Investigator, Consumers Union of US, Inc
Edward Groth, Co-Principal Investigator, Consumers Union of US, Inc
Susan Markowitz, Co-Principal Investigator, Consumers Union of US, Inc

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9154855
Funding Amount: 153337

Tags

Access and Inclusion: Low Socioeconomic Status
Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Families | Middle School Children (11-13) | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: General STEM | Mathematics | Nature of science
Resource Type: Project Descriptions
Environment Type: Broadcast Media | Media and Technology