Penn State's Public Broadcasting Team Joins Expedition Chesapeake

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 12, 2011 - Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts has selected Penn State Public Broadcasting to develop a made-for-television documentary focused on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed as part of the Center's $10 million Expedition Chesapeake initiative. Penn State Public Broadcasting will produce a broadcast documentary as part of Expedition Chesapeake, a multi-media, educational and entertainment experience anchored by a 42-minute giant screen film featuring Animal Planet star Jeff Corwin. The sweeping initiative also includes an online curriculum and travelling, 4-D science exhibit. "Penn State brings a wealth of talent and experience to this effort. We're very excited that the leadership at Penn State Public Broadcasting recognizes the importance of Expedition Chesapeake. The documentary we will produce is a critical element of our goal to engage and educate the 17 million residents of the Bay watershed," said Dr. Michael L. Hanes, President & CEO of Whitaker Center. "This is a welcome addition to our initiative." Penn State Public Broadcasting joins a growing production and development team for the project, led by Emmy winner Jeff Corwin. Corwin hosts two television shows on Animal Planet and has developed a worldwide television audience. He has been described as the world's best-known biologist. "Expedition Chesapeake is a wonderful project and an important one. The goal is to entertain and educate all of the Bay watershed's residents and we're very excited to join this initiative," said Tom Keiter, Director of Creative Development for Penn State Public Broadcasting. "This fits our mission of public service media – looking at issues important to society and using media to engage people in a creative and informative way." The Chesapeake Bay watershed is the largest estuary in the United States and covers 64,000 square miles in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Washington, D.C. The educational tools are designed to inform, engage and challenge all citizens in a comfortable and interactive conversation. "The goal is to produce media that promotes an understanding of the importance this watershed has to everyday life, and the impact people have on the Bay watershed each and every day," Keiter said. "We want to educate and inspire people to become more aware of this watershed and the documentary series will be an important part of the overall initiative." Hanes added that Expedition Chesapeake will serve as a model for watersheds around the nation. "We're going to develop a comprehensive, multi-media package of tools designed to both entertain and educate people. Each element of the initiative, from the giant screen film to the travelling science exhibit and documentary project, is designed to help people become more aware of how they can help preserve this vital resource," Hanes said. "It's a great and exciting challenge and Penn State Public Broadcasting is going to play a major role."

Melvin Wylie