February 3, 2016 — Radcademy is an initiative that uses contemporary media techniques and real-life situations to engage young people and their imaginations about the world of medical imaging and radiation therapy. Created by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Radcademy features a website and accompanying videos that are specifically designed for boys and girls aged 12 to 16.
The campaign’s website component calls to mind the colorful graphics of mobile apps while using bite-sized informational nuggets called RADfacts. Content on the site is written in a way so kids can easily learn about the scientific foundations of X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine and other radiologic procedures.
“Radcademy is a unique initiative as it provides teenagers with fundamental information about the science behind medical imaging and radiation therapy, and also offers radiologic technologists a series of tools they can use for educational purposes,” said ASRT CEO Sal Martino, Ed.D., R.T.(R), FASRT, CAE.
The video section on the website includes four videos that highlight various medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures and also explain the science behind the technology. While the kids in the Radcademy videos are portrayed by actors, the subject matter experts in the videos are all real-life radiologic technologists, radiation therapists and radiologic science educators. Moreover, the videos are scientifically accurate, but uncomplicated so young audiences can easily understand the topics.
In addition, to connect with teens, the videos present the information using authentic, one-on-one interactions with working radiologic technologists and lively back-and-forth sessions with radiologic science educators. One teenager leads the viewer on a hospital field trip to find out how X-rays work, while another visits an oncology center looking for answers about how radiation therapy helped his grandmother beat cancer.
“Radcademy is a way to share with a new generation the pride we feel as professional radiologic technologists,” said Martino. “Every day medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals use this powerful technology to create often life-saving diagnostic images for physicians and to treat cancer and other diseases. It’s crucial that we educate the public about the important work radiologic technologists perform and Radcademy is another resource to help us achieve that goal.”
For more information: www.asrt.org/radacademy
April 17, 2024 
