Geared toward 8-to-13-year olds, SCIENTASTIC! builds upon kids' innate interest in science during the late elementary- and early middle-school years. The live-action program mixes drama and reality genres, incorporating a fictional plot with interviews from educators, scientists and other experts. SCIENTASTIC! explores science, health and social issues through the eyes of a smart, inquisitive and engaging girl 14-year-old named Cassie (played by Gabrielle Phillips). In the program, Cassie and her irrepressible younger brother Dean set out to solve the universal problem of sleep deprivation, particularly among schoolchildren. The duo finds their way into many leading educational venues to investigate why people need sleep and how they can improve their sleep habits. A sleep anthropologist takes Cassie inside a historic rock shelter to show the way people slept thousands of years ago. The director of the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens talks about the calming properties of chamomile flowers. A coach at a local prep school explains the importance of sleep for helping athletic performance. An educator from the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium explains the different ways in which sharks, lions, elephants, owls, possum and giraffes sleep. And an artist from the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh speaks about the connection between sleep and creativity. Along the way, Cassie and her friends participate in a two-day sleep study, organize a sleep fair and contribute to their school's winning the regional "Science Bowl."
