Civil rights leader, lawyer, diplomat, organizer of the Peace Corps and its first African-American director, United Nations representative, president of the Phelps-Stokes Fund, associate of Thurgood Marshall and first chair of a unique judicial commission dedicated to racial fairness, Franklin Hall Williams was a visionary and trailblazer who devoted his life to the pursuit of civil rights. (Grades 6-12)
Dive into the exciting world of democracy with Compact Civics! In each entertaining video, Cory breaks down key civics concepts and offers practical insights to help us all become better-informed citizens. Use Compact Civics to spark critical conversations and inspire civic engagement. (Grades 9-12)
Follow Cory, a time traveling middle school history teacher, as he journeys beyond your textbook telling untold stories that transformed our world. From his time portal in Western New York, Cory discovers connections between local historical events and their national impact. Meet fascinating people along the way and see firsthand how history surrounds you and includes you! (Grades 3-8)
“Compact Science” episodes frame a scientific concept with a signature regional connection. Each episode concludes with a Compact Science Viewer Challenge—an experiment aligned with National Science Education Standards—that can be performed at home or in a classroom. (Grades 3-8)
Alongside well-known suffragists like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott, women in upstate New York supported the cause as mothers, writers, marchers, reformers, authors, and organizers. They drew strength from each other and from the Haudenosaunee women who lived among them. (Grades 3-12)
Hubbard saw an opportunity in the ideas and practices of the Arts and Crafts Movement. His small print shop in East Aurora evolved into the thriving Roycroft Campus that continues to attract artisans and innovators to this day. (Grades 6-12)
Buffalo, New York, has the unique privilege of having more Frank Lloyd Wright structures than any other city in America outside of Chicago. This collection of architecture is due to one man — Buffalo businessman Darwin D. Martin. The centerpiece of Wright’s work in Buffalo is one of Wright's earliest designs, the Darwin Martin House. (Grades K-12)
Olmsted’s contributions to communities across the United States are well documented in the parks and landscapes that he designed. However, his interests and skills went far beyond landscape architecture. Olmsted was an advocate for green space, a journalist, a committed anti-slavery reformer and a believer in urban health. (Grades K-12)
Water has been a driving force in Buffalo’s rise through industrialization, its subsequent economic decline, and efforts by community leaders to re-connect communities to the water. This program evokes the beauty of the region’s water resources and captures the unique character of the Buffalo River. (Grades K-12)
A generous gift from Edward and Mary Kleinhans, whose love of music, Buffalo, and each other, led to the building of a world-class concert hall. Learn about the design, the architects, and how Kleinhans has become a community asset where family is celebrated and memories are made. (Grades 6-12)
Come along with our host Chrisena as she interacts with experts and visits exciting sites throughout Western New York. This series is perfect for educators, kids, their caregivers, and anyone who loves to explore! (Grades K-5)
Making Buffalo Home shares a diverse and rich mix of engaging and personal stories that showcase our shared history and heritage. With immigration often being at the forefront of our national conversation, it has been essential to give a voice to this important topic. (Grades 6-12)
The Niagara Movement: The Early Battle for Civil Rights is a one-hour documentary focusing on the formation and impact of the first civil rights movement of the 20th century. These lesson plans are designed for middle and high school students (grades 6-12). Some of the themes covered are activism, ideology, the role of women, the Black Press, marginalization, the Jim Crow era, civil rights, and the legacy of the Niagara Movement.
One in three teens will experience some form of abuse in their dating relationships. If you have someone in your life who might be at risk, reach out. Learn how to identify the red flags and warning signs of abuse among teens and young adults and explore effective ways to begin a conversation with a young person about healthy and unhealthy relationships.
The classic Reading Rainbow series, which launched in 1983 and was the most-watched PBS television show in the classroom, not only offers nostalgia but provides high-quality curriculum that is still relevant today. We invite you to watch and listen as cherished books are read. (Grades K-5)
In the late 1800s, Buffalo was a place on the rise. It was a growing city and attracted some of the most well-known architects in the country. It was during this time when Henry Hobson Richardson designed the massive Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. Today it’s known as the Richardson Olmsted Campus. (Grades 6-12)
Addiction to prescription painkillers, especially among young adults, is growing at an alarming rate in Western New York State. An essential part of combating this recent epidemic is awareness and education. The earlier children learn of the dangers of this kind of addiction the better. (Grades 6-12)
William Still is one of the most important yet largely unheralded figures in the history of the Underground Railroad. Still’s records of those who passed through the Philadelphia “station” are some of the best accounts of the inner workings of the Underground Railroad and the freedom seekers who used it—where they came from, how they escaped, and the families they left behind. (Grades 6-8)
Learn about the causes behind the unprecedented growth in the use of prescription opioids and the devastating impact these drugs are having in every part of America. Brain science, stigma, and the struggles associated with treatment and recovery are also discussed. (Grades 6-12)
For two and a half years, Americans fought against the British, Canadian colonists, and native nations. In the years to come, the War of 1812 would be celebrated in some places and essentially forgotten in others. But it is a war worth remembering—a struggle that threatened the existence of Canada, then divided the United States so deeply that the nation almost broke apart. (Grades K-12)
Native Americans enlist and serve in the U.S. military at rates that proportionally far exceed every other ethnic group. This documentary explores the many and varied reasons why Native Americans have chosen to fight on behalf of the U.S. throughout history. (Grades K-12)
Tap into America’s #1 Educational Media Brand for access to thousands of innovative, standards-aligned digital resources, compelling student experiences, and professional development opportunities. PBS LearningMedia provides access to free, classroom ready, curriculum- targeted digital resources including videos and interactives, as well as, audio, documents, and in-depth lesson plans.