By Kevin Yang
Did you know that when Twin Cities PBS began broadcasting on television nearly 70 years ago, education was the focus of our very first program? In 1957, Twin Cities PBS made history when we premiered a science education series called Exploring Science. This program, hosted by local Saint Paul science teacher, Bill Schrankley, would be the first of many educational television programs produced during the early years of our station’s history.
Fast-forward 67 years, and our work in educational programming continues to make history. Whether it’s through programs like “Hero Elementary” focused on early learner science and literacy, activities like Don’t Believe the HYPE that foster media-literacy and identity development skills for high-schoolers, or adult learning experiences like the mental health initiatives that supported the TPT-produced, nationally distributed film “Facing Suicide,”, TPT keeps our tradition of exemplary education programming alive through our work for learners of all ages and subjects.
Announcing the new Center for Lifelong Learning:
This upcoming back-to-school season, Twin Cities PBS is excited to introduce the Center for Lifelong Learning. No, we aren’t constructing a new education “building” at TPT – but we are building a new foundation for how we engage with our community at all ages and all stages, using the wealth of education resources we create.
There are three goals at the core of this new education-centered vision:
Goal 1: Expanding Our Audience of Lifelong Learners:
Learning is a lifelong process. We love creating resources that teachers and students in grade school can use, but we also know that our work brings great educational value to our older viewers. We’ve seen discussion guides and curricula for programs such as “Jim Crow of the North” utilized in college classrooms and corporate employee groups. Tangible impact from past initiatives such as the Emmy Award-winning documentary, “The Forgetting: A Story of Alzheimer’s” and other multigenerational programming have highlighted the importance of engaging learners of all ages.
Whether it’s through sharing media and igniting discussion in settings for older adults, helping HR professionals employ TPT content in lunch-and-learn settings, or exploring opportunities to partner with community education sites, TPT’s lifelong learning efforts will intentionally extend to community members outside of our usual K-12 age range.
Goal 2: Sharing Resources in a Digital World:
Broadcast television is not the only way our community engages with our programs. With an extensive track record of providing greater access to our resources through a variety of platforms, we are launching a new website, TPTLearn.org, which is a one-stop shop for educators and anyone who enjoys learning to explore our media and its aligned resources, and to learn more about TPT’s upcoming community events. In addition, we will continue to create and upload curriculum onto PBS LearningMedia, an online platform where teachers can find free and standards-aligned resources from PBS stations across the country.
Whether on-air or online, making our education resources easily accessible across many platforms will be a continued priority for our station.
Goal 3: Engaging with Our Community:
We know our impact is greater when we meet our community where they are. Building relationships with like-minded community partners is central to this strategy. Partnerships with libraries have been essential to the success of “Book Drop”, a new digital series that combines STEM and literacy skill development through read-alongs by STEM professionals. Teaming up with parks and recreation departments throughout the metro area has helped the TPT Learn Academies initiative reach over 8,000 students at our after-school events. Expanding library-based programming that welcomes families and all-comers, such as our Summer STEM events and Minnesota State Fair presence, will also continue to be an important way for us to meet our community.
We look forward to deepening our relationships with partners that make our work with the community possible and look forward to building new connections.
Join Us in Celebration!
Twin Cities PBS’ exceptional education programming may be nothing new, but with an ever-changing media and education landscape, innovation and evolution are necessary. Looking towards the future, our new initiative will deepen our impact as we build our community of learning.
Whether it’s watching one of our new shows on TV, downloading a classroom discussion guide, exploring our new website, or saying hello at one of our family events, we invite you all to join us and celebrate the new Center for Lifelong Learning at Twin Cities PBS.
© Twin Cities Public Television - 2024. All rights reserved.
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