Explore Possibilities
Car manufacturers are producing more energy-efficient vehicles.
Now that you have examined your challenge, brainstormed ideas and identified your constraints, it is time to start exploring some possibilities for creating your PSA.
Check out some examples of public service announcements:
> PSA: Take Pride in America
(from TakePride.gov)
> PSA: You are not just burning off calories...
(from Allison Gallant, Carnegie Mellon School of Design)
> PSA: Stop Water Pollution
(from Water Environment Federation)
> PSA: Think More Is Better?
(from Think Blue)
As you explore, think about:
- Who do you think is the intended audience for each PSA?
- What do you think works about these PSAs?
- What does not work?
- How do you want your PSA to be like or unlike the examples?
Take notes on page 9 in your Engineering Portfolio under item #5: Explore Possibilities.
Review any notes you have taken in your Engineering Portfolio, and conduct any additional research you need to explore possible PSAs. Keep track of your ideas for audience, text, images and placement of text and images on page 10 of your Engineering Portfolio. You may also wish to review the assessment rubric to make sure you understand how your final project will be graded.
Teacher Note
Assist students as they explore different possibilities for their PSAs. There will likely be much debate as they weigh the messages and images they wish to use. Encourage them to keep track of their thinking and take notes on pages 9-11 in their Engineering Design Portfolios. You may want to create an account at
edu.Glogster.com
in advance. Glogster is an interactive poster-making website where students can share ideas using pictures, videos, text and music.
Essential Questions
- How can people communicate to others the importance of energy conservation?
More to Explore
Do PSAs really change people's thinking about different issues? This report by the Ad Council, a nonprofit group that produces many PSAs, shows the impact of some of their biggest public service campaigns.
> Public Service Advertising that Changed a Nation
(from the Ad Council)
