Radio Rootz DC coordinator Selina Musuta worked with Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy teachers to plan a two-week public policy capstone program for one class. Each year, Cesar Chavez scholars investigate a public policy issue through research, field trips, meeting with experts in the field, and participation in activities that promote possible solutions or public awareness.

In mid-May, students chose an issue they could create a project around. Students decided to learn about HIV/AIDS infection rates in the district. They also chose to learn more about radio. The teachers decided that the students could use what they learned about HIV/AIDS to produce a public service announcement (PSA). Selina worked with teachers to develop the main objectives and created a tentative outline for the program. Our main teaching objectives around PSAs included defining what they are and explaining how they get aired. This included lessons on the advertising industry; both commercial and non-commercial. Students learned the techniques that advertisers use to sell products. Students also analyzed commercial and public service announcements’ messages.

To prepare the students for the ins and outs of the PSA industry, students went on three field trips: STD clinic, WPFW (non-commercial radio station), and  WHUR (commercial radio station). They also heard from a guest speaker of an advertising agency. Students were interviewed on both WPFW and WHUR concerning their research.
After gathering information and sources, students were divided into two groups to produce two PSAs. They learned how to use sound effects, how to develop a script, and how to make decisions around targeting a message. They presented what they learned to their 9th grade class.

Check out the PSAs!