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Project Descriptions

Time Team America And The Science Of Archaeology

September 15, 2011 - August 31, 2014 | Media and Technology, Public Programs
This full-scale development project would use a multi-platform approach (TV, Field School, and Web site) to engage public audiences and underserved youth in archaeology research and discovery. The project will advance knowledge and practice in the field of ISE by establishing the utility of archaeology as an entry point to multiple STEM fields showing how it answers important questions about human origins-culture, history, and the natural environment. The target audience includes a broad demographic of viewers who will watch the PBS broadcasts. The other key audience is underserved youth who will participate in the archeology digs and be featured in the national broadcast. They will engage other underserved youth who will have the opportunity to participate in the interactive online virtual field school. Primary organizational partners include the Crow Canyon Archaeology Center in Colorado and other archeology organizations at the 4 field sites. Deliverables include four hours of PBS programming filmed at four archaeological sites telling the stories of diverse cultures (Native American, African American, Hispanic); field schools designed for underrepresented youth both onsite and online; blogs, online discussions, and user-generated videos. The evaluation will determine the impact of the television series, online content, and the on-site Field School on audiences' understanding of, interest in, and interactions around STEM topics within the context of archaeology. Formative evaluation will provide input and help refine the television programs, web site, and field school. The summative evaluation will use a variety of methods and artifacts to determine the degree to which the process of the TV series, web site, and Field School was successful. The television programs are expected to reach 13 million viewers via broadcast, 300,000 via streaming video and 50,000 unique web site visitors. The lessons learned from this project will be disseminated to other media and ISE organizations.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 1114113
Funding Amount: 2355661

TEAM MEMBERS

  • David Davis
    Principal Investigator
    Oregon Public Broadcasting
  • 2014 05 29 Noel 3
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Oregon Public Broadcasting
  • Margaret Watters
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Oregon Public Broadcasting
  • 2014 03 14 jen portrait2
    Evaluator
    Rockman, et. al.
  • Discipline: Geoscience and geography | History/policy/law | Life science | Social science and psychology
    Audience: Youth/Teen (up to 17) | General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Broadcast Media | Websites, Mobile Apps, and Online Media | Games, Simulations, and Interactives | Public Programs | Community Outreach Programs
    Access and Inclusion: Ethnic/Racial | Black/African American Communities | Hispanic/Latinx Communities | Indigenous and Tribal Communities

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