46 Days 'Til the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day: Creating Public Service Announcements

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are a great way to engage students with the use of technology to create meaningful messages. Check out the historic PSA below, created by the Ad Council , who partnered with Keep America Beautiful.  

The ad, which first aired on Earth Day in 1971. The slogan was: "People Start Pollution. People Can Stop It.” This is a great example of using entrepreneurial thinking to rethink the way we do things and create solutions to the problems we cause. As students watch the PSA, ask them to find the message. Then ask them how different media devices helped deliver and strengthen the message. How did the word usage, visuals, sounds, and motion add to the impact of the PSA? Ask students: 1) what do you see happening in the PSA; 2) what does the PSA make you think or feel?; 3) what questions do you have?; and, 4) what does the PSA make you want to do?

Now check out a couple more recent PSAs created through Keep America Beautiful. Analyze these messages, also. Then create your own PSAs!

Sample PSA Scripts:
Create a PSA to celebrate Earth Day. Ideally, the PSA should be less than one minute. Here are sample PSAs:
 
Save a Tree With Three! (15 seconds)
Did you know that recycling a single three-foot stack of newspapers saves a tree? Now, imagine the forests we could save together. Learn more green tips at (SustainabilitySuperheroes.org). This is a public service announcement from (Team Name). 
Get Your Green On (:30-1:00) 
Have you done something green yet today? If not, it’s time to get your green on. Recycle your trash. (Add more ideas here).  
Final sentence (Every day, we have the chance to make our planet a cleaner and greener place. Act locally and change the world by getting your green on!) Learn more at (SustainabilitySuperheroes.org). This is a public service message from (Team Name). ​

If you create a PSA, please share it with us by tagging us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @usfstavros.