Would you like TikTok to teach you science? A new feed will keep you updated
TikTok is having a big Pi Day celebration. On March 14, the video app launched its new STEM feed, which features videos by top science, technology, engineering, and maths creators.
TikTok described the STEM feed in a blog post as a “dedicated space to explore a wide range of inspiring, entertaining, and enriching videos.” The initiative will cater to an increasing demand for academic content on the ByteDance-owned app. TikTok reported that its STEM-related hashtags have received 110 billion views to date.
Space-obsessed engineer @KatVoltage and experiment demonstrator @ChemTeacherPhil are among the creators featured on the STEM feed. “With TikTok, I’ve been able to connect with both the English and Spanish communities, establishing a multi-language platform where I can share more about what it means to be an electrical engineer as well as my journey to space,” KatVoltage explained. “My hope is that by doing so, I will be able to provide representation and inspiration for the next generation of women in STEM and encourage them to never give up no matter what obstacles life throws at them.”
A feed of scientific content would be useless without scientific rigour, and TikTok has multiple partnerships in place to ensure that its STEM feed is accurate. Videos added to the feed will be vetted for relevance thanks to an agreement with Common Sense Networks. TikTok will then turn to Poynter to fact-check the selected videos. The organisation will do its part to keep false information out of the science-focused feed.
Poynter’s work as a fact-checker for online videos has taken her to TikTok and beyond. It collaborated with Google to create a fund for the International Fact-Checking Network. Poynter is now transforming the STEM feed into a “safe experience” in the short-form world.
TikTok’s Pi Day focus is STEM videos, but the company is working to create additional category-specific feeds. In “select markets,” the app has rolled out collections of Gaming, Food, Fashion, and Sports content. The STEM feed, which will be available “later this month,” will allow US viewers to sample one of those themed verticals.
