DESIGN SQUAD is a family of multimedia initiatives that gets 8-to-13-year-olds excited about exploring engineering through fun-packed, high-energy, hands-on activities. Resources feature 100+ hands-on challenges, 130+ videos, animations and career profiles, and online games. Selected resources are also available in Spanish and Arabic. DESIGN SQUAD initiatives have made a measurable difference to youth’s and educators’ attitudes toward and knowledge of engineering. Studies found that program participants displayed significantly greater understanding of science concepts and positive attitudes about engineering relative to controls (CEG, 2010), and that students and teachers improved their knowledge and attitudes toward engineering after participating (FHI 360, 2017).
This project reaches tweens and teens via...
Directly engaging t(w)eens via activities, events, or programs
Indirectly reaching t(w)eens via educators, PD, curriculum
Media and/or educational content that is made by, with, or for t(w)eens
What topics does this project focus on?
EducationOtherScience, technology
*engineering, invention, design
Is this project considered part of the station's journalism work?
No
Departments involved:
EducationProduction (TV/Radio)Engagement
Partner organizations involved:
DiscoverE, MakerEd, New York Hall of Science, ASTC, iEARN, Society of Women Engineers, YMCAs, Citizen Schools/Envisioneers, B&G Clubs, among others.
Media and/or educational content
Who is the primary audience of the content?
T(w)eens
Who creates the media content?
Adults only (station employees, contractors, producers, etc)
Directly engaging tweens and teens in local programming
In this project...
We partner with *local organizations* to host programmingWe partner with *national organizations* to host programmingWe partner with our *local school district(s)* to host programming
Contact time between youth participants and station staff:
3-10 hours
Contact time between youth participants and partner orgs:
3-10 hours
Indirectly engaging youth via educators, professional development, or curriculum
This project indirectly engages youth by partnering with...
SchoolsCommunity-based organizations or nonprofitsPublic departments (e.g., city parks department, local library, etc.)Curriculum or content distributors (e.g., PBS Learning Media)
Does this project train educators or run a professional development program?
Yes
Does this project create curricula or educational resources for educators to use?