# PBS NewsHour Health Literacy and Student Reporting Labs: Broad expansion of journalism to increase bioscience literacy in America and support the next generation of biomedical science communicators

> **NIH NIH R25** · WETA TV 26 · 2021 · $120,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
Using a combination of youth-generated videos, broadcast reporting and online curriculum
resources, PBS NewsHour will engineer successful educational experiences to engage students
from all backgrounds, and particularly underserved populations, to explore clinical, biomedical,
and behavioral research. The PBS NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs (SRL) program,
currently in 46 states, created ten Health Science Reporting Labs to produce unique news
stories that view health science topics from a youth perspective. We incorporated these videos
into lesson plans and learning tools disseminated to the general public, educators and youth
media organizations. Students were supported along the way with curricula and mentorship on
both fundamental research and the critical thinking skills necessary for responsible journalism.
From this point, SRL is taking the next steps to disseminate these resources, helping to ensure
that the next generation includes citizens who are effective science communicators and self-
motivated learners with a deep connection to science beyond the textbook and classroom.
PBS NewsHour will streamline and adapt our NIH-funded health science reporting curriculum
for our digital learning community platform, StoryMaker. This curriculum will teach students
important research skills such as interpreting scientific data and reading journal articles and
includes activities that expose students to careers in research, highlight a diverse assortment of
pioneering scientists as role models and promote internship opportunities. The resources will on
StoryMaker will join postings on NewsHour Classroom (formerly PBS NewsHour Extra), which
has 700,000 users per year, and our partner sites PBS Learning Media and Share My Lesson -
the two biggest free education resource sites on the web. Through StoryMaker, NewsHour
Classroom, and these partner resource-sharing sites, SRL will greatly expand the potential
scope of our outreach and impact.
NewsHour broadcast reports on health science research topics will continue to serve as
springboards and examples of excellence for the student journalists, particularly through health
coverage of the pandemic. The researchers interviewed for the stories will be selected for their
expertise and skills as effective science communicators, as well as their diversity and ability to
connect with youth. Finally we will leverage strategic partnerships and coordinated cross
promotion of stories through social media platforms and the SRL network to reach a wider
audience and encourage student viewers to stay informed about health topics that affect their
lives and their communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10449824
- **Project number:** 3R25GM129222-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** WETA TV 26
- **Principal Investigator:** Leah Clapman
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $120,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-08-15 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10449824

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10449824, PBS NewsHour Health Literacy and Student Reporting Labs: Broad expansion of journalism to increase bioscience literacy in America and support the next generation of biomedical science communicators (3R25GM129222-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10449824. Licensed CC0.

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