Major
Biological Sciences
Minor(s)
Thanatology
Advisor
Sarah Davis
Advisor Department
Biological Sciences
Date
5-2023
Keywords
children’s television; marine conservation; education
Abstract
Children’s television is proven to be an effective instrument for educational material for young age groups and can be utilized to teach social awareness, traditional educational content, and about worldly issues. Highly successful shows for varying adolescent ages, such as Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, exist for the sole purpose of increasing young viewers’ cognition and knowledge. Differing formats are used to convey educational content, such as narrative and expository structures, depending on the material and target age group. This project will develop the script for a children’s television show in the expository format that is targeted to children ages 8-11 years old (typically in 3rd and 4th grade). The material of the show will focus on the marine environment and appropriately discuss the ongoing impacts of plastic production, climate change, and chemical water pollution. Through bright visuals and engaging vocals, this material will communicate these challenging environmental issues to viewers in language that is accessible to their age group. Children ages 8-11 have experience in scientific learning as well as expository writing, meaning they are able to retain both vocabulary and knowledge when presented in an expository format. Information about scientific research supporting marine environmental content will be adapted to language that is developmentally appropriate, to ensure maximum retention. This television program will also provide discussions on actionable solutions for viewers by conveying to children that, while they cannot end the climate crisis or plastic pollution (maintaining realism), there are steps they can take to make a difference.