Our films play in the world’s most renowned science centers, natural history museums, space centers and aquariums—institutions that are among the most trustworthy sources of information for the public.  These informal learning settings are critical to our mission of entertaining and educating audiences. 

Measuring the success of our educational impact is an important part of what we do.  We have conducted numerous research studies that evaluate how much audiences learn from our films.  These studies clearly show that our films dramatically increase not only a person’s knowledge about a particular subject, but also his or her desire to learn even more, to visit a bookstore or a map store, to plan a hiking trip, to inquire about a GPS device used by a film’s scientist, to get engaged in community activities.

These films and our companion educational outreach programs really do enrich people’s lives, inspiring new attitudes and positive action.

Research highlights:

• More than 90% of the teachers who attended a preview screening of Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk said the film met their needs as an educator. Students were motivated by the film’s conservation message.

• Test scores more than doubled for students who watched Dolphins and participated in learning activities from the Teacher Guide. Evaluations conducted during the Dolphins Scientist On Tour program showed that minority and low-income children increased their knowledge about dolphins and the ocean.

• Telephone interviews with audience members one week after seeing Journey Into Amazing Caves showed that 93% had discussed the film with someone on the day of seeing it; 50% discussed the film with others in the week following; 57% recommended the film to others; and 40% agreed that seeing the film affected their thoughts during the week.

• A professional evaluation conducted for Everest documented significant learning by viewers. Almost 90% of audiences said the film met or exceeded their expectations. The film affected audience activities or thinking during the week following their seeing the film, from planning a hiking trip to visiting a book or map store, to inquiring about GPS devices (used by the film’s scientist).

• In a summative evaluation for Coral Reef Adventure, the film scored a 4.7 on a 5-point scale in level of appeal, and knowledge scores improved significantly at both sites. Follow-up phone interviews revealed that the film influenced viewers’ thinking and behavior, from recommending the film to others, to joining the local aquarium or cleaning up a beach, to pursuing additional information on the internet.