About Discoveries and Breakthroughs Inside Science

What is DBIS?

  • DBIS is a syndicated STEM news service for use on television stations
  • Twelve, 90-second segments per month
  • Each segment is peer-reviewed for accuracy
  • Segments cover all areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research
  • Science Insider additional web content
  • Some segments and Science Insiders are available in Spanish.

Why television?

  • 52% of the U.S. public selects local television news as their primary source of information, according to the Pew Research Center (2008).
  • 40% of the U.S. Public selects television as their number one source for science and technology information, according to the National Science Foundation's Science and Engineering Indicators (2010).
  • 80% of the U.S. public surveyed said that they were interested in new scientific discoveries, inventions, and technologies, according to the National Science Foundation's Science and Engineering Indicators (2010).

Who produces DBIS?

  • The American Institute of Physics in partnership with a coalition of STEM organizations
  • Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.

Where does DBIS air?

Does DBIS have an impact on viewers?

Thanks to an NSF grant (2003-2007), AIP was able to study the impact that DBIS has on viewing audience and found that:

  • There are statistically significant difference in awareness and appreciation of STEM in cities that air DBIS segments compared to those that do not.
  • 78% of viewers surveyed said that they are more likely to watch local news that airs science stories like DBIS.
  • Viewers surveyed agreed with these statements:1) "STEM researchers care about the same things that I care about." and 2) "STEM research is personally relevant to me."