Principal Investigator
Jennifer Borland, Nancy Schwartz, & Kelli Paul – Rockman et al. Research & Evaluation
Project Description
Cyberchase is a long-running PBS KIDS program created and produced by The WNET Group. The program strives to promote problem-solving skills through the use of mathematics and has recently incorporated environmental themes with the goal of advancing knowledge and inspiring actions related to environmental health and sustainability.
This is a pre-post descriptive study constructed to understand the potential benefits of Cyberchase on children’s STEM knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Researchers conducting the study asked teachers to collect pre-test assessment data from 234 first and second grade students prior to viewing four full-length episodes of Cyberchase (23-24 minutes/episode) and four three-minute “For Real” videotaped segments. The assessments captured student-reported information on STEM knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The teachers then collected the same data following the conclusion of each Cyberchase Episode and “For Real” segment. The research team recruited students from three Title 1 elementary schools in Arizona serving primarily Hispanic students and one Title 1 elementary school in Indiana serving primarily Black students.
Research Questions
- Are there gains in knowledge and changes in attitude after students viewed a series of four full-length Cyberchase programs and four additional “For Real” segments, especially in terms of advancing knowledge and inspiring actions related to environmental health and sustainability?
Key Findings
Analyses comparing assessment data pre- and post-viewing Cyberchase revealed that there were some small positive changes over time in students’ STEM knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. For example, students performed better over time on questions related to their math and environment knowledge. In addition, the researchers observed positive changes in students’ interest in science, confidence that math can be helpful for problem-solving, and knowledge of environmental practices related to sustainability (e.g., composting).
Study Citation
Borland, J., Schwartz, N., & Paul., K. (2023). Cyberchase’s impact on environmental and stem learning. WNET Report.
The Key Findings above were reproduced from the published report and do not necessarily reflect interpretation of Overdeck Family Foundation staff.
