Program Summary

DragonflyTV is an award-winning multi-media science education program combining television, community outreach, the Web, and fun. Produced by Twin Cities Public Television (TPT), creator of the long-running family science series Newton's Apple, DragonflyTV engages tens of millions of children, parents and teachers in accessible, hands-on science activities. DragonflyTV is designed to appeal to children from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. By modeling and celebrating children's science capabilities, DragonflyTV has always shown that if kids can dream it, they can do it!

DragonflyTV's first step has been to attract children with a TV show unlike anything they've seen before. The DragonflyTV television program is broadcast nationwide on PBS stations, and presents real-life science investigations in a style of television that captures the attention of today's media-savvy generation. Against a pop-music soundtrack, children tell about their investigations, communicating the infectious excitement that comes with making their own discoveries

DragonflyTV extends beyond the television screen, offering a variety of standards-based learning tools. A rich, interactive Web site, an annual children's science magazine, educators' guides, and other outreach materials are available to schools, homes, community organizations, or any place kids gather to explore, create, and discover.

Educational Philosophy

DragonflyTV's educational philosophy is echoed in its mission: To give children and scientists a national forum where they can share the excitement of scientific discovery. We achieve this mission by using several complementary media in addition to the TV series: publications for children, teachers and caregivers; outreach targeting underserved children in informal settings; and a well-publicized, highly interactive Web site. Our primary goals are to:

1. Foster a greater interest in science and the process of scientific inquiry among children aged 9 to 12, with special emphasis on racial minorities, girls, and underserved communities;
2. Give children encouragement and the confidence to conduct their own scientific investigations;
3. Provide formal and informal educators with videos that model authentic explorations of science that all children can do;
4. Increase the appreciation of science among parents and other caregivers;
5. Encourage children's literacy, through the synergy of a television show and a companion magazine;
6. Advance current research in science television.

We realize these goals through the presentation of real kids doing real science. The philosophy of DRAGONFLYTV is rooted in a strong commitment to inquiry-based learning, which is at the heart of current reforms in science education, articulated in the National Science Education Standards. Our particular focus is to model scientific inquiry through real investigations conducted by real children, with a related objective of communicating basic science concepts appropriate for grades 4 through 6. DRAGONFLYTV aggressively promotes diversity and the idea that all children are capable of understanding and doing science.

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