From USAFacts · · 1m 50s
Crash Course and USAFacts Partner on Government Education Series
Crash Course and USAFacts launch 15-part video series explaining US government through data and civic education.
In brief
Crash Course and USAFacts launch 15-part video series explaining US government through data and civic education. Crash Course and USAFacts created a nonpartisan 15-part video series to help young people understand US government using data and historical context. Originally reported by USAFacts.
Series Launch
Crash Course and USAFacts created a 15-part video series addressing current political issues through historical context and data.
“What happens when the basic explanations about how government works fall short of the present moment?”
Nonpartisan Approach
The series aims to inform without persuasion, using accessible data and educational storytelling for classrooms.
“We don’t have data journalists on staff”
Host Background
Host Kousha Navidar has worked as a math teacher, political speechwriter, radio host, and television producer.
“At a moment when our government feels so intractable, so messy, it is also deeply personal to 340 million people around the country”
Series Design
Complexly and USAFacts designed the series to be nonpartisan and to explain government through data and historical context.
“The public cannot hold their government accountable, which is the whole point of a democracy, if they do not have access to the data and information to do so”
Storytelling Technique
Crash Course adds characters, storylines, and diagrams to make complex data visually accessible for viewers.
“So often we talk at USAFacts about ‘how do we make this more understandable and more approachable, especially by a younger population’”
Character Role
Navidar plays recurring characters like Buff, a historian built like a wrestler who is tender and shy on camera.
“I hope these characters make the content more fun and dynamic”
Polarization Explanation
Navidar explains polarization by comparing the spinach party and arugula party, with a long-running feud with arugula.
“Spoiler alert: he has a long-running feud with arugula”
Current Moment Focus
The series avoids current political bias by focusing on historical trends rather than recent news events.
“Understanding that bigger picture sheds light on the current situation in a way that doesn’t lend itself as easily to partisan finger-pointing”
Educational Goal
The series aims to spark curiosity in young people about civics and government through relatable examples and data.
“I hope the series can help students make some big connections, ask deep questions, and see why it matters to pay attention to and be interested in civics”
Companion Materials
USAFacts provides worksheets, discussion questions, and interactive data visualizations for each episode.
“While making the series, there was so much more we wished we could explore, and the companion materials gave us the space to do so”
Youth Engagement
Navidar advises young people to vote, contact representatives, act locally, and maintain curiosity to build democracy.
“The thing we cannot lose is our curiosity”
Trust in Data
USAFacts emphasizes using government data to ensure transparency and accountability in civic education.
“The public cannot hold their government accountable, which is the whole point of a democracy, if they do not have access to the data and information to do so”
Team Collaboration
Navidar credits the team for creating the series, highlighting their intelligence and hard work.
“I can’t emphasize enough how much it is the team that made what is great about [the series] exist”
The essence
Crash Course and USAFacts created a nonpartisan 15-part video series to help young people understand US government using data and historical context.
