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RELEASE: 02-013
NASA "Why?" Files:
TV series receives second Emmy after first season
NASA was recognized with another Emmy award for its
children’s educational television programming. After one
season of production, the “NASA ‘Why?’ Files”
instructional video/web series received its second Emmy for
“The Case of the Challenging Flight”in the
category of best “Children’s Program/Educational” on
Feb. 2, 2002.
The regional Emmy was presented by the Nashville/Midsouth
Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
during ceremonies at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention
Center, Nashville, Tenn.
“The program has such a tremendous success because we have
a great cast, crew, content, and wonderful support from all our
Langley researchers,” says Shannon Ricles, the show’s
coordinating producer. “With that combination and enthusiasm,
we can only continue to produce high-quality instructional programs
and have a winning series.”
“NASA is about research and development. Therefore, the
programs we offer to the educational community are also grounded in
research and contribute to a program’s design,” says Dr.
Shelley Canright, NASA’s Education Division Technology Program
Manager. “The convergence of television and web coupled with
NASA content and researchers offers a wealth of untapped potential
for educators and students.”
The “NASA ‘Why?’ Files” series introduces
students in grades three through five to NASA; integrates
mathematics, science, and technology through the use of
problem-based learning, scientific inquiry and the scientific
method; and seeks to motivate students to become critical thinkers
and active problem solvers.
Each program includes hands-on classroom and home activities,
virtual field trips, research experts and Dr. “D,” the
tree-house detectives’ next-door neighbor and mentor. The
tree-house detectives are six ethnically diverse, inquisitive
schoolchildren who investigate and solve a variety of everyday
problems.
Other honors for the series include a regional Emmy award for
Best Children’s Series for the 2000-2001 season, Awards for
Publication Excellence, the International Film Festival Award and
the Golden Web awards for the “NASA ‘Why?’
Files” web site.
The “NASA ‘Why?’ Files” show has reached
over 3.7 million students worldwide and about 165,000 registered
educators and parents. The “NASA ‘Why?’ Files”
can be seen on PBS-member stations across the United States and
NASA TV, down-linked via Ku- and C-band satellite, and accessed via
the Internet at: http://whyfiles.larc.nasa.gov.
Major funding for the production of “NASA ‘Why?’
Files” is provided by NASA’s Aerospace Vehicle Systems
Technology Office. Program partners include the American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation; Busch Gardens,
Williamsburg, Va.; Sea World, Tampa, Fla.; Christopher Newport
University; and Hampton City Public Schools.
The “NASA ‘Why?’ Files” is one of a suite of
award-winning television and web series produced by NASA
Langley’s Office of Education. Other series include NASA
CONNECT (grades 5-8) and NASA’s Destination Tomorrow (grades
9-adult). Visit the NASA Education Home Page, at http://education.nasa.gov,
for further details on these programs.
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