Ojibwa youth learn to communicate science through new media

In collaboration with Lac Courte Oreilles Community College, a team from the Department of Life Sciences Communication is spending a week at Lac Courte Oreilles Community College, collaborating with LCOCC staff on a youth science media camp for 24 middle- and high-school tribal students.

“Land and Identity” is the theme. The camp, which provides the youngsters with instruction in new media, including digital video, podcasting and web design, is an effort to offer science education within a cultural context.

This is very much a hands-on learning experience, with students working in teams to create eight scientifically themed media projects. The Public Broadcasting Service may broadcast the projects as part of a national initiative, but you can see them as works in progress by visiting the project blog.

Involved on the LSC project team are professors Patty Loew and Shiela Reaves, faculty associate Don Stanley and graduate student Tim Tynan.

Funds for the project came from a Baldwin Wisconsin Idea grant. The Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment provides the grants to advance the Wisconsin Idea through the development of new and innovative initiatives and new dimensions to existing outreach activities by creating and strengthening partnerships and collaborations, sharing and applying knowledge, and expanding access to lifelong learning.