Have your child and their friends collaborated online to create a public service announcement (PSA) about when and how to wear a mask due to COVID-19. As pf April 3, Governor Wolf recommended that all Pennsylvanians wear a mask if they must leave their homes.
“Two days ago, I amplified our social distancing efforts by instituting a statewide stay-at-home order, and today I am asking all Pennsylvanians to wear a mask any time they leave their houses,”
Governor Tom Wolf
“Gov. Wolf Calls for Universal Masking” Press Release April 3, 2020
Learn the Facts
Have the youth do research on when and how to use masks as well as why there is a recent surge in demand. This post has been UPDATED AS APRIL 3, 2020 to reflect Governor Tom Wolf’s announcement, embedded below.
- Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania – Download Graphics and Posters (Social Media Resources)
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: When and how to use masks
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Use Cloth Face Coverings to Slow the Spread.
Create a storyboard
Together they should create a script and storyboard for the public service announcement. The final storyboard should include decisions about the text, sound effects, and visuals for the project. Here are a few trusted resources for templates and how-to instructions.
- Public Service Announcement Lesson Plan | Scholastic
- PBS LearningMedia has a wealth of resources for students to learning about storyboarding.
- Newseum Ed is a great resource for media literacy resources.
Create a homemade mask
Have the youth make a homemade face mask to wear during the PSA; here are a few homemade face mask patterns.
- Youth Face Mask | Circut Design Space
- COVID-19: Facemask pattern | Free Sewing
- Bias Tape Surgical Face Mask with Flexible Nose | Sweet Red Poppy
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – How to Make a Homemade Mask.
Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should wear the face mask identified by their medical provider. The CDC does NOT currently recommend the general public use facemasks. Please be advised these face mask patterns are NOT rated for disease control.
Make the PSA
Before they start making the media, they should ask the following questions.
- What digital tools and equipment are required, and do we have access to them?
- How and with who will this public service announcement be shared?
Let them be creative!
It’s okay if they make a Tik Tok challenge PSA. Think of all the skills they are going to gain doing this project with their friends. The goal is to reduce misinformation about coronavirus.
#youthMaskUp PSA Challenge
Youth can submit their PSA about when and how to wear a mask to enter to win a $25 Visa card. The PSA must be at least 15 seconds. To Enter tag @thebeautyofstem on Instagram or use the hashtag #youthMaskUp. This is for fun.
