Overview
This study assessed the impact of an entertainment-education television program developed for TV markets across Sub-Saharan Africa. N*Gen or Next Generation Television is a science show aimed at children and families that models female scientists and girls taking an interest in science. Randomly assigned groups of Kenyan viewers were encouraged to watch either 5 episodes of the science show, or a placebo show about painting. Viewers watched the programming on their cell phones or other mobile devices. Attitudes and beliefs were measured utilizing a post-test survey conducted approximately 7 days after the viewing period. The study found that viewing just five episodes had a measurable impact on viewers’ knowledge as well as attitudes around the severity of the threat posed by climate change, whether girls should be encouraged to study science, and traditional gender roles for women.
Citation: Lauren B. Frank, Natasha I. Gordon, Donald P. Green. Effects of entertainment-education television programming on gender attitudes and knowledge about scientific facts: An experimental study in Kenya. Publication under review.