This presentation looks at ways in which undergraduate research and projects involving civic engagement are used to 1) teach students important skills in about video production, web development, and multimedia performance and installation and 2) prepare them for careers in digital media. The presentation focuses on two student works. The first is VJ Fleet, a sound and video performance piece created in which students outfitted three cars with sensor-based technologies. During the performance, students drove the cars around the city, recording sound and video images en route. These recordings were updated and remixed with new information picked up at locations the cars stopped and interacted with audiences. The project won the Undergraduate Student Research Award in spring 2009. The second project is the website created for a local family shelter. In this project beginning design students worked closely with the shelter administrators and residents in developing the website, visiting the shelter and attending its events. In both projects students not only gained important insights into design strategies and teamwork but they also became involved in and knowledgeable about the community in which they live.

As freshmen begin the orientation process for life on campus, most find themselves for the first time as the sole decision-maker for many of their own health issues. There are several key health/lifestyle challenges most likely to impact the student’s quality of life experience and academic success during the critical first years of University. Those issues are ones of diversity, healthy living, and drug and alcohol abuse. Students making informed decisions relating to these challenges are more likely to be successful in the University environment as a whole. This project explores the use of mixed media and associated narratives to capture young people’s interest in health and lifestyle messages. This presentation will describe the approach to the problem and share the current data gathered related to effectiveness of the message delivery. It will provide tips on how to design and execute a project of this scope, with this audience.

Worldwide, over 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that over a third of those infected do not know their HIV status. Over half of the new HIV infections worldwide are in young people under the age of 25 (UNAIDS/WHO). Worldwide, over 3.9 billion people have mobile phones. In the Global AIDS Personal Public Service Announcement Project (GAPPSA), ten student teams on six continents will use cell phones to fight AIDS. In one day (4/22/10), student teams using only cell phones and laptop computers will plan, script, shoot, edit and premiere video messages encouraging their friends to be tested for HIV. Through the GAPPSA young people will use their most cherished technology to live longer, healthier lives. This paper will discuss this project and will explore the potential for new mobile media technologies to have a positive impact on people lives.

“The Omission” is a branded entertainment webisode targeted at sexually active 18-25 year olds who are potentially at risk for STD’s/HIV and AIDS. The creative goal was to engage the demographic by creating a story and characters that simulated their way of life. The marketing strategy was to involve the audience in the story and characters and to allow the natural use of a product to rise from story organically. Set in Chicago, The pilot centers around the rise of a hot young pop-punk band, their fans and the complexities of their technologically linked sexual relationships. "Everybody wants it, everybody needs it, some will lie to get it. A few seconds of bliss. I guess we’re all on the mission.”