
Each week we feature “Meet the Staff Mondays” to help our viewers and fellow staff members learn more about the folks who work here at Idaho Public Television: behind the scenes, out in the community, at locations around the state, and in front of the cameras. Today we introduce multi-talented producer/writer/host Joan Cartan-Hansen.
IdahoPTV’s Carol Beres sat down with Joan to learn more about the series and projects she’s produced over the years. “My main assignment is producer/host of Science Trek,” Joan says. “I also have worked on Idaho Experience, Outdoor Idaho, Idaho Reports, Dialogue, and produced a number of standing educational and other documentaries, as well as doing some occasional work for PBS NewsHour.”
Joan grew up in the Gem State. “My parents were both chemists who came to work at the Idaho National Laboratory. I was born in Idaho Falls. I grew up there.” Joan left Idaho to attend college. “I went to the University of Utah. It was the only accredited broadcast journalism school in the region at the time. I got my first job at KID-TV in Idaho Falls. It was the CBS affiliate at the time. It’s now KIDK.” From there, Joan moved on to Idaho Public Television and has worked here ever since.

One of the main reasons Joan is here at Idaho Public Television is that the work is fulfilling. “It’s an incredibly wonderful place to work, because it allows a lot of creative freedom and has a mission that I believe in. I want to help educate and inform and entertain: that’s what I do best. And Idaho Public Television does it all.” You may have noticed Joan’s animated Science Trek character on your TV or computer screen. “Cassandra [Groll, IdahoPTV graphic designer extraordinaire] is a genius at creating the little mini me’s,” Joan laughs. “And we try to turn me into volcanoes and bees and whatever the topic is; we try and find some fun way to animate the little ‘mini me’.” She adds, “There are more than 100 topics on the site, so there’s probably at least 100 different versions of me in cartoon form.”
Science Trek has educated and entertained for many years. “This September, we’re starting our 25th season, so we’re currently finishing up Season 24. The nice thing about this program is, as technology has advanced, we’ve been able to embrace it and use it to try and teach kids. After all, they’re the ones who really know how technology works and they’re driving the changes.” Speaking of changes, Science Trek will launch an updated website this summer. Every once in a while, Science Trek became a family affair for Joan: her kids have appeared in many Science Trek episodes. “I have forced them to appear in many of IdahoPTV’s productions. And because we repeat a lot of those shows, you’ll often see my kids as small children. They are, of course, now fully grown,” Joan laughs. “Much to their embarrassment, they will occasionally run across themselves on the screen as small children.”

In Joan’s free time, she heads to the kitchen. “I like to bake.” Speaking from experience, she makes a delicious fudge! Joan likes to watch movies. “I’m a huge movie fan.” She likes to ballroom dance, but in college, Joan tried a sport that’s a little on the dangerous side. “I took a fencing class. Later, my sister-in-law-to be Terry and I took a fencing class together and scared our future husbands dashing about with foils.” One other hobby on Joan’s list is learning American Sign Language. “Harrison [Joan’s son] is legally deaf, so it’s important for the family to understand that aspect of his culture, his experience.”
Joan shares that she’s a fan of chocolate. “Which is why producing ‘Sweet Idaho’ for Idaho Experience was such a delight. I also like nuts, which are much better for me than chocolate. Although chocolate’s pretty good for you,” she adds. And her favorite part of Idaho has a special meaning for her: “The Sawtooths. That’s a very special place. I used to canoe there as a child and ski there when I was growing up.” Her husband’s family has a strong connection to the Sawtooths, too: “Jim’s [Joan’s husband’s] dad was the late Congressman Orval Hansen. It was his bill that created the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. So, we have a very special connection to the place. Jim and I were married in the Sawtooths.”
Joan is quick to say her favorite PBS Kids character. “I loved Wishbone. It was a great series.” Her family also enjoyed watching Arthur. When she was growing up, she remembers watching Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. “It was a big thrill for me to meet Mister Rogers. In person, he was the same as he was on camera. His belief in the power of television to make a difference in the lives of children is my inspiration.”