Channel 4 is on the road this month visiting schools across the UK to record the next series of The Sex Education Show.
New surveys show that up to two thirds of teenagers have had access to pornography online. The Sex Education Show will be talking to teenagers and parents about this explosion in accessible sexual content, and asks what impact it is having on their attitudes and their behaviour. It’s a controversial subject with some surprising responses.
Other Education highlights this month include our science game Routes, and the conclusion of our major religion series with a film by Cherie Blair on the challenges faced by Christianity in an increasingly secular society.
Janey Walker
Head of Education
Channel 4
New surveys show that up to two thirds of teenagers have had access to pornography online. The Sex Education Show will be talking to teenagers and parents about this explosion in accessible sexual content, and asks what impact it is having on their attitudes and their behaviour. It’s a controversial subject with some surprising responses.
Other Education highlights this month include our science game Routes, and the conclusion of our major religion series with a film by Cherie Blair on the challenges faced by Christianity in an increasingly secular society.
Janey Walker
Head of Education
Channel 4
With 2009 well under way, our Battlefronters are stepping up their campaigns. Many of our plucky 20 have made the headlines, with national newspapers picking up their campaigns.
‘Gift of Life’ campaigner Holly Shaw was given a colour spread in the Sun newspaper. James Mummery, our ‘Free newspapers cost the earth’ campaigner, is now writing his own column in the London Paper.
Laura Partoon, our ’Stress in Schools’ campaigner, won a Diana Award which recognises young people who have made an outstanding and selfless contribution to their communities. James Greenhalgh won the sought-after UK Youth Parliament Campaign Award at a glitzy event at the Houses of Parliament, and his campaigning skills were described as ‘nothing short of incredible’ by the organisers.
Battlefront even manages to get a mention on Skins character Naomi’s profile. She lists Battlefront as one of her favourite websites – could this be the start of a beautiful friendship?
To keep up with all the latest Battlefront happenings click here.
‘Gift of Life’ campaigner Holly Shaw was given a colour spread in the Sun newspaper. James Mummery, our ‘Free newspapers cost the earth’ campaigner, is now writing his own column in the London Paper.
Laura Partoon, our ’Stress in Schools’ campaigner, won a Diana Award which recognises young people who have made an outstanding and selfless contribution to their communities. James Greenhalgh won the sought-after UK Youth Parliament Campaign Award at a glitzy event at the Houses of Parliament, and his campaigning skills were described as ‘nothing short of incredible’ by the organisers.
Battlefront even manages to get a mention on Skins character Naomi’s profile. She lists Battlefront as one of her favourite websites – could this be the start of a beautiful friendship?
To keep up with all the latest Battlefront happenings click here.
Routes is Channel 4 Education’s first big cross-platform game of 2009 and is well into its eight week live run. Players can explore genetics and the human genome via a set of flash games and challenges, and they can follow the video series charting comedian Katherine Ryan’s experience of DNA testing.
Players who’ve explored further have uncovered a fictional mystery surrounding the tragic death of Markus Schoenberg, the scientific advisor of the project. Together with online characters Rachel Burren and Matt Blacker, (yes, you can Google these), the players are exploring the ethics of genetic research and just how valuable genetic data is in the real world.
The game is playing out across the web – on YouTube, Bebo, character blogs and other websites. There were 1.2 million plays of ‘Sneeze’ – the flash-based mini-game which is part of Routes – in the first two weeks of the project, with thousands working to solve the mystery, and we’d love you to play too.
At Cambridge University ‘The Science of Love’ interactive lecture on Valentine’s Day explored the links between genetics, sexual attraction and promiscuity. The audience was a mixture of players, fictional characters from Routes, and teachers and students from schools who were instrumental in helping with the design of the game.
To play Routes click here. To watch the drama unfold click here.. To meet Rachel click here.
Players who’ve explored further have uncovered a fictional mystery surrounding the tragic death of Markus Schoenberg, the scientific advisor of the project. Together with online characters Rachel Burren and Matt Blacker, (yes, you can Google these), the players are exploring the ethics of genetic research and just how valuable genetic data is in the real world.
The game is playing out across the web – on YouTube, Bebo, character blogs and other websites. There were 1.2 million plays of ‘Sneeze’ – the flash-based mini-game which is part of Routes – in the first two weeks of the project, with thousands working to solve the mystery, and we’d love you to play too.
At Cambridge University ‘The Science of Love’ interactive lecture on Valentine’s Day explored the links between genetics, sexual attraction and promiscuity. The audience was a mixture of players, fictional characters from Routes, and teachers and students from schools who were instrumental in helping with the design of the game.
To play Routes click here. To watch the drama unfold click here.. To meet Rachel click here.
Channel 4’s peak-time series The Sex Education Show returns soon for a second run. The new series has been recorded at secondary schools across the country hearing from young people, teachers and parents about their experiences and views on sex education. The series focuses on the explosion of accessible sexual content on young people’s computers and mobile phones, and investigates how this unlimited access to pornography online is affecting their lives.
Sexually transmitted infections are increasing at an epidemic rate and 21 teenagers get pregnant every day, but just as alarming are new statistics showing that up to two thirds of teens are receiving potentially harmful information about sex because of the quantity, accessibility and graphic nature of pornography online.
Many young people use porn to learn about sex, picking-up potentially dangerous behaviours and attitudes along the way. Presenter Anna Richardson insists it’s time to fight back with some fundamental sex and relationship education. Accompanied by a team of sexual health experts, she examines the myths and misinformation surrounding porn, and talks to young people about how porn affects their attitudes and behaviour.
The series returns with its dedicated website (click here) which generated a huge viewer response last year.
Sexually transmitted infections are increasing at an epidemic rate and 21 teenagers get pregnant every day, but just as alarming are new statistics showing that up to two thirds of teens are receiving potentially harmful information about sex because of the quantity, accessibility and graphic nature of pornography online.
Many young people use porn to learn about sex, picking-up potentially dangerous behaviours and attitudes along the way. Presenter Anna Richardson insists it’s time to fight back with some fundamental sex and relationship education. Accompanied by a team of sexual health experts, she examines the myths and misinformation surrounding porn, and talks to young people about how porn affects their attitudes and behaviour.
The series returns with its dedicated website (click here) which generated a huge viewer response last year.
Renowned chef Heston Blumenthal is attempting to re-create the greatest feasts from history. He believes the future of cooking lies in the secret recipes of the past, so he’s travelling back in time to explore historic and mythical culinary worlds.
In each episode, Heston recreates ‘lost’ recipes, discovers forgotten flavours and ingredients and travels to remote areas to source unusual foods. He uses his unique scientific approach to assemble his own versions of great historical feasts spanning Ancient Rome, the Medieval era, Tudor England and Victorian Britain. Amongst the dishes Heston prepares are an edible garden with insects, 24 blackbirds baked in a pie, a Trojan Hog with edible intestines and an unusual ‘ejaculating’ cake.
This isn’t cooking for amateurs – so throw away your cookbooks and don’t try this at home.
TX from Tuesday 3 March at 9pm
In each episode, Heston recreates ‘lost’ recipes, discovers forgotten flavours and ingredients and travels to remote areas to source unusual foods. He uses his unique scientific approach to assemble his own versions of great historical feasts spanning Ancient Rome, the Medieval era, Tudor England and Victorian Britain. Amongst the dishes Heston prepares are an edible garden with insects, 24 blackbirds baked in a pie, a Trojan Hog with edible intestines and an unusual ‘ejaculating’ cake.
This isn’t cooking for amateurs – so throw away your cookbooks and don’t try this at home.
TX from Tuesday 3 March at 9pm
Christianity is now over 2000 years old. Yet today in the West it faces its greatest challenge – modernity and the rapid rise of the secular society.
In the final episode of the Christianity series, practising Catholic and leading barrister Cherie Blair examines how Christianity has fared in the face of World Wars, unprecedented suffering and monumental social change, and considers the challenges of the future for the world’s biggest religion. She argues that it can still be a real power for good – but that it needs to undergo urgent and deep-seated reform.
Cherie Blaire argues that Christianity must again be seen as a dynamic force for change and not just a supporter of the status quo; it has to break out of the straitjacket of the old religious system based on buildings and parishes; it has to resolve its relationship with the half of the human race that is female; and it has to regain its role as the champion of the poor and oppressed. Above all she says Christianity has to reach out to other faiths with humility and acceptance, respecting difference rather than trying to destroy it.
TX on Sunday 1 March at 7pm.
In the final episode of the Christianity series, practising Catholic and leading barrister Cherie Blair examines how Christianity has fared in the face of World Wars, unprecedented suffering and monumental social change, and considers the challenges of the future for the world’s biggest religion. She argues that it can still be a real power for good – but that it needs to undergo urgent and deep-seated reform.
Cherie Blaire argues that Christianity must again be seen as a dynamic force for change and not just a supporter of the status quo; it has to break out of the straitjacket of the old religious system based on buildings and parishes; it has to resolve its relationship with the half of the human race that is female; and it has to regain its role as the champion of the poor and oppressed. Above all she says Christianity has to reach out to other faiths with humility and acceptance, respecting difference rather than trying to destroy it.
TX on Sunday 1 March at 7pm.
We’re developing bold new plans for our online teen projects Yeardot and Battlefront in 2009/10, working with a number of education and charity partners to make them more useful for teachers working across the 14-19 curriculum. We’re looking for groups of schools or academies who would be interested in being part of a pilot programme using these projects in KS3/4 or Diploma contexts. If you’re interested in being part of this pilot and helping us develop and grow these fantastic projects, then get in touch with Matt Lock (click here).
We are currently developing a series of workshops with organisations including the Big Lottery Fund, UnLtd and ContinYou, to explore how best to work with new partners. Channel 4’s unique experience of developing successful multi-platform projects, and our access to the best talent in broadcasting and digital media, give us the capability to help many education bodies reach their target audiences across an ever expanding media landscape. If you need more information about partnering with Channel 4 Education contact Steve Moore (click here).
300 people attended the inaugural Naomi Sargant Memorial Lecture – When Will They Ever Learn? The event was chaired by Melvyn Bragg and featured contributions from David Puttnam, Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Professor Christine E. King, Anthony Lilley, Helen Milner and Alan Tuckett OBE, and was formally closed by Naomi’s husband Andrew McIntosh.
The panel and participants debated whether IT-led lifelong learning initiatives had been successful, and whether the media could do more to enrich the learning experiences of adults.
The defining theme was that an inter-generational gulf was opening up between younger people immersed in their digital lives, and older people with limited access or motivation to engage with new communication technologies. This is an area Channel 4 will explore further.
Our thanks go to everyone, including so many of Naomi’s friends and former colleagues, who contributed so generously and warmly to the debate. We will be announcing details of the second annual debate in Naomi’s honour later this year.
The panel and participants debated whether IT-led lifelong learning initiatives had been successful, and whether the media could do more to enrich the learning experiences of adults.
The defining theme was that an inter-generational gulf was opening up between younger people immersed in their digital lives, and older people with limited access or motivation to engage with new communication technologies. This is an area Channel 4 will explore further.
Our thanks go to everyone, including so many of Naomi’s friends and former colleagues, who contributed so generously and warmly to the debate. We will be announcing details of the second annual debate in Naomi’s honour later this year.
4Talent develops and supports talented people at different stages of their careers, reflecting diverse Britain and a multi-platform industry. We have recently revamped our website (click here) to provide people with the skills, experiences and attitudes they need to work in the media. If you are starting out, there’s the Work Experience Programme, Inspiration Week and Generation Next, but also check out 4talent Extra.
On 4 February over 300 people attended the 4iP launch event in Sheffield hosted by our partners Screen Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward.
Each of the regions partnering with 4iP now has a dedicated network for companies and individuals to share expertise, experience, expectations, backgrounds and interests:
Scotland and Northern Ireland (click here)
Yorkshire and Humber (click here)
West Midlands (click here)
4iP has announced its investment in Audio Boo, an iPhone / iPod Touch application, website and API. Developed by Best Before Media, AudioBoo will use geo-location data to provide individuals, local groups, institutions and commercial services with a set of tools to record and upload it to the internet. It’s an open platform designed to inspire creativity in both users and developers.
Each of the regions partnering with 4iP now has a dedicated network for companies and individuals to share expertise, experience, expectations, backgrounds and interests:
Scotland and Northern Ireland (click here)
Yorkshire and Humber (click here)
West Midlands (click here)
4iP has announced its investment in Audio Boo, an iPhone / iPod Touch application, website and API. Developed by Best Before Media, AudioBoo will use geo-location data to provide individuals, local groups, institutions and commercial services with a set of tools to record and upload it to the internet. It’s an open platform designed to inspire creativity in both users and developers.
For more information about any of these projects, programmes or events please contact:
Rachel Postgate | email: rpostgate@Channel4.co.uk | Telephone: 020 7306 8282