A short introduction to Scientifically Speaking, a NYS 4-H program that involves kids in digital storytelling around scientific topics.

1. 4-H Scientifically Speaking Engaging teens in digital storytelling, with a purpose.

2. What is Scientifically Speaking? Stories about science. Integrating interviews with Cornell Faculty. A process for cultivating literacy. Digital. Scientific.

3. The beginnings of an idea. Several 4-H programs have been critical: Career Explorations Digital Storytelling sessions STARR Media workshops CYFAR Youth Voices City Project

4. Learning from experience. Identifying the missing elements. Something was almost right, but not quite. Understanding limitations. Developing support. Building an equipment library. Providing access to pre-produced materials.

5. Integrating SET. Focus on content not technology. Grounding the work of Scientifically Speaking in core 4-H programming. Working with on-campus partners to generate stories.

6. Current work Development of pre-produced interviews with scientists. Creating a reproducible process and template. Supported by a grant from the NYS 4-H Foundation.

7. The future Identifying county based project partners. Releasing the scientifically speaking storytelling process “in the wild”. Summer 2011 On-campus workshop for adult facilitators and youth teams. More interviews with scientists.

8. More information. Scientifically Speaking Blog: http://nys4hscientificallyspeaking.wordpress.com/ Contact us: Celeste Carmichael cjc17@cornell.edu Paul Treadwell pt36@cornell.edu