QUEST: A Different Kind of Science and Nature Adventure

Chelsey Juarez, a UC Santa Cruz doctoral candidate in forensic anthropology, has developed a novel technique to help identify the remains of migrants who die crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

KQED's QUEST is a new multimedia series about the people behind San Francisco Bay Area science and environmental issues and how their work is changing the way we live. Do you know what is in your own backyard?

Here and Now: Local Bay Area Science, Nature and Environmental Stories

KQED's most ambitious local offering ever, QUEST utilizes all of our media platforms, educational resources and extraordinary partnerships. QUEST includes a half-hour weekly HD television program, weekly radio segments, an innovative website and unique education guides. QUEST's geographic coverage spans from Mendocino to Monterey and from Sacramento to Santa Clara, and focuses on nine content areas: astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, environment, geology, health, physics and weather.

Dr. Dave Jessup, Director, Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center with Jake, a California Sea Otter

Interactive

As the nucleus of QUEST, the site makes available for free all television and radio broadcasts, as well as additional web-only segments. Unique features of the site:

• An Interactive map created with Global Positioning Satellite technology to 'geotag' locations and images where QUEST segments were filmed and recorded; Our partner locations, where visitors can experience science, environment and nature first-hand, also are highlighted on the map.
• "Explorations"—nature hikes and walks with a strong science theme.
• A new community science blog with daily contributions from scientists, experts, teachers and students with a different Bay Area perspective; and
  
• Discussion groups, photo sharing and special “web only” content.

Radio

QUEST Radio airs every Monday at 6:30am and repeats at 8:30am on KQED FM 88.5 and KQEI FM 89.3. Explore urban environmental challenges such as pollution, toxics and threats to our food supply. Investigate new technologies, emerging trends in science and the impact of public policy on our natural resources.

Television

A weekly half-hour high-definition television series (20 episodes per year for three years) that shines a light on scientific discoveries, go behind the scenes on research expeditions, and explore ongoing issues of technological, biological, and environmental significance all with a local focus featuring Bay Area locations, experts, and organizations.

QUEST Television airs every Tuesday at 7:30pm on KQED 9, KQED HD, and in vivid high definition on Comcast 709.

Education

QUEST Education Network (EdNet) develops and offers:

• Education Guides that are distinctively tailored for both outside and inside the classroom;
• Media workshops to train educators on how to use QUEST stories in educational settings; and
• "QUESTing," educational treasure hunts that encourage participants to get out and connect with their natural surroundings in a fun and meaningful way.
• All QUEST education materials are free and available for download from the QUEST website.