Austin High School Students Pitch Digital Campaigns To Fight Childhood Obesity


During the three-week project led by Craig Watkins, associate professor of media studies at the University of Texas, students took on the roles of researchers, ethnographers, storytellers, designers, and digital media producers. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink

In an effort to help fight childhood obesity and land a part time job, Austin area high shool students at the It Could Be U (ICBU) Digital Youth Academy pitched digital media campaigns to professionals from the health sciences, advertising, media, technology, video games and entertainment industries.

During the five weeks program, students at the ICBU worked directly with a broad range of professionals to prototype digital content and applications promoting healthy lifestyles.

Dr. Stephen Pont (l), medical director for theTexas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, and Craig Watkins, associate professor of media studies at the University of Texas. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink

“I hope this is the first of many collaborations with such talented and dedicated youth!” said Seton Healthcare Family’s Dr. Stephen Pont, medical director for the Texas Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity, who served as an advisor for the project.

Presenting at the ‘Pitch Party’ were Pflugerville ISD students that participated in the University of Texas at Austin led summer project DGZiN studios. They recently completed an iBook based on the topic “Is Our Appetite For Sugar Killing Us?”

During the three-week project led by Craig Watkins, associate professor of media studies at the University of Texas, students took on the roles of researchers, ethnographers, storytellers, designers, and digital media producers. Participants involved in this unique collaboration designed and produced an innovative campaign, using digital and social media platforms to tell powerful and personal stories about the consumption and effects of sugar sweetened products in their homes, neighborhoods, and among their peers.

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