A Science Odyssey's educational outreach initiative, the most ambitious in the history of WGBH Boston and PBS, is integral to the series. The outreach campaign brings to life 100 years of science -- its most exhilarating triumphs and painful failures -- and furthers the television broadcast through a wide variety of nonbroadcast elements.

Resources -- (asterisked items are available to press on request, see also Resources for Educators)

Educational Videos and Activity Guide*
You know those basic, universal questions that really bug you? Like What is light? or What is that odd signal from space? Questions like these bothered Albert Einstein and Jocelyn Bell so much it leads to Einstein's Theory of General Relativity and the discovery of pulsars. These compelling stories and others drawn from the series will be highlighted in several short educational videos, "A Science Odyssey: Short Trips." Activities, provocative questions, and additional resources will supplement the videos in the accompanying activity guide. (Ages: 11-14) Guide available.

Educator's Guide and Poster*
No, this isn't the teacher's book with all of the answers to end-of-the chapter quizzes. It's a resource to help science and social studies educators use the series in their classrooms and after-school settings. And it's full of ideas for hands-on activities and discussion questions and information related to the series. (Ages: 14-18 ) Also enclosed in the guide -- and available independently -- is an oversized, full-color Science Odyssey poster featuring a timeline of landmark events in science and technology since 1900. (Ages: all) Guide and poster available.

Interactive Science Demonstrations*
Are we alone in the universe? Or will our continual explorations of space finally uncover "little green men"? Find out how we explore these questions by attending a science demonstration at science museums and libraries nationwide. (Ages: all) Scripts available.

Museum Overnights
Thousands of children and their chaperones will sleep over at science museums around the country, conducting experiments and learning about how information is transmitted and received both technologically and biologically. (Ages: 11-14) Members of the press are cordially invited to take part; check local science centers for scheduling information.

Science-By-Mail®*
The Science-By-Mail program, started in 1988 at the Museum of Science, Boston, pairs fourth- through ninth-grade students with real scientists who act as mentors. Participants receive two science activity packets during the school year and write to their pen-pal scientist for advice, encouragement, and ideas about the activities and the world of science. Science-By-Mail has partnered with WGBH to develop two new activity packets about topics explored in A Science Odyssey: "Picture This!" a challenge about scientific imaging, and "Get the Signal!" about communication. Last year, 26,000 students and 1,300 scientists from across the country participated in the program. Packets available (limited quantities).

Science Theater*
"Matters of the Heart" is a touching drama about the history of heart transplants and technology and its effects on one family. Performed at science museums, libraries, schools, and youth clubs nationwide. (Ages: all) Script available.

Web site
Explore A Science Odyssey online for even more activities, series information, and other resources to help illuminate the ups and downs of the last 100 years of science. On a computer near you at www.pbs.org/aso starting December 15, 1997. (Ages: all)

End-Users

Educators
Educators may use the educator's guide, Science-By-Mail®, short videos, the Web site or any combination of resources to bring the themes from the series alive for youth.

Families
Families can visit their local science museum to see the play and demonstration, join Science-By-Mail®, browse through the book, or cruise the Web either at home or at their local library to explore A Science Odyssey.

Kids
On January 23, 1998, 3,000 children and their chaperones will spend the night in fifteen science museums around the country conducting experiments and communicating museum-to-museum via the Internet in the first-ever national "camp-in."

Partners
Helping to pull all of this together are more than 120 outreach sites located across the country. Beginning in the fall of 1997, these sites will form a network of educators and youth using A Science Odyssey materials. Working together they will create new relationships, programs, and events around the themes of the series. The synergy of the sites' various activities will provide a model and resource for other educators and families as they begin using one or all of the Science Odyssey materials. To further the reach of the project, WGBH Boston has formed partnerships with the following organizations:

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
  (in conjunction with the AAAS faith communities project)
• American Library Association
• Association of Science-Technology Centers
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• National Science Teachers Association
• Public television stations nationwide

By partnering with these and other national organizations, WGBH hopes to create a lasting legacy. Educators will come away with a new expertise -- not only in the science and history content explored in A Science Odyssey, but also the enhanced ability to incorporate hands-on science activities into their curricula. At the same time, they will become familiar with the expanded range of resources available in their communities as they work with the series' national partners. These experiences will continue to benefit them and the youth they serve long after A Science Odyssey has aired.

125 Western Ave Boston, MA 02134 A production of WGBH Boston 617.492.2777 www.pbs.org

Major funding is provided by the National Science Foundation.

Corporate sponsorship is provided by IBM. IBM is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

Additional funding comes from public television viewres, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Becton Dickinson and Company.