Learn about Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral perspectives on the American Revolution by examining the stories of those living in the American colonies at the time. Students examine definitions of Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary era from both primary and secondary sources. Then they view video clips highlighting the stories of three different people from that time to explore how differing experiences, beliefs, and practices contributed to Loyalist, Patriot, and neutral viewpoints, and to understand how these differing opinions about American independence created divisions between British colonists in the American colonies.
POV “For Venida, For Kalief” • WXXI-TV
A tender journey and exploration into the past, present and future, and delivers nuance and understanding about the long vicious cycle of mass incarceration over the last 50 years.
POV “For Venida, For Kalief” airs Monday, July 27 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.
“For Venida, For Kalief” debuts the poetry of Venida Brodnax Browder, mother of Kalief Browder- an African-American teenager who inspired incarceration reform in the United States.It culminates in the contemporary movement to transform Rikers Island – one of the world’s most notorious jails – into a renewable energy center. This film intertwines spirituality and advocacy, while crafting a cinematic experience that re-imagines the “criminal justice” documentary as a poetic collage.
Photo Credit: For Venida For Kalief site
Space Explorers: Moonrise on the ISS • WXXI-TV
Space Explorers takes an intimate look at life aboard the International Space Station and the future of space exploration.
Space Explorers: Moonrise on the ISS airs Tuesday, July 21 at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.
The film looks ahead to the Artemis program, which will send humans back to the Moon for the first time in 50 years. It follows seven astronauts living and working on the ISS — an outpost serving as a proving ground for future lunar and deep-space missions
Photo Credit: American Public Television
GODS OF TENNIS • WXXI-TV
Revisit how the tennis golden age changed the game forever in this three-part fascinating series.
GODS OF TENNIS (3 episodes) airs Sunday, July 26 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.
Framed through the world-famous Wimbledon tournament, revisit the golden age of tennis in this three-part fascinating series. Meet the heroes who changed the sport forever and drove significant change away from the tennis courts.
Photo Credit: GODS OF TENNIS photo gallery
American Experience “JFK: Part Two” • WXXI-TV
This two-part special concludes with an in-depth look at the life and career of the complex, enigmatic man who remains one of the nation’s most beloved and mourned leaders, forever enshrined in myth by an assassin’s bullet.
American Experience “JFK: Part Two” airs Friday, July 17 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.
Forever enshrined in myth by an assassin’s bullet, Kennedy’s presidency long defied objective appraisal. Recent assessments have revealed an administration long on promise and vigor, and somewhat lacking in tangible accomplishment. His proposals for a tax cut and civil rights legislation, however, promised significant gains in the months before his assassination. While maturation, as evidenced in the handling of the Cuban missile crisis, was apparent, the potential legacy of the New Frontier will forever be left to speculation. American Experience “JFK: Part Two” repeats Saturday, July 18 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
Photo Credit: John F. Kennedy Library
Together We Can: Civics Music Videos for Kids
Sesame Workshop’s latest collaboration with PBS KIDS brings 20 eye-catching music videos centered on a civics curriculum to young viewers.
Each music video encourages viewers to learn, listen, lead…and sing and dance along the way. The videos help children see themselves as active members of their communities and understand how our government plays a role in our everyday lives. Through a variety of memorably sticky songs across genres sung by a cast of kids, there’s something for everyone in this series! This is a great series for helping young students. (Grades K-5) to understand community and government.
- Explore Together We Can Media Galleries with Student Activity Handouts
- Printable Booklet of Student Activities
Watch the Full YouTube Together We Can PBS KIDS Playlist including family, school, community, government and civic participation.
On-demand Webinar: How to involve NY State K-12 students in the NY250: Tapestry of New York Project
Watch the archive: New York State Teachers, Public Librarians, School Librarians & Media Specialists, Out of School Practitioners and Staff, Museum Outreach and Education Staff, Arts Organizations, Teen and Youth Organization Staff, Home School Parents and others interested in the involving students in this digital quilt project through December, 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. From: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 10am-11am ET
Event Description:
Looking for a way to engage your K-12 students with America at 250 here in New York State? Uplift youth voice through project-based learning while contributing their work to a new digital platform! Find out about the Tapestry of New York project submissions by K-12 students which will run from June, 2026-December, 2026.
Join the NYS Library as we welcome special guests from WNET, New York City’s public media station. Learn about the Tapestry of New York—a new online platform showcasing the creative work of New York students in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. This webinar will provide a full project overview, explore examples of student work, and outline strategies to implement this exciting program within the library which can also supply ideas for other educational and community settings to implement with their K-12 students.
More About the Presenters:
Susan Buttaccio is the Manager of Special Collections at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Grosvenor Room, where she oversees Local History, Genealogy, Map, Music, and Rare Book collections. She has worked across multiple library roles, including Teen Services, Children’s Services, Cataloging, and Digital Resources, bringing a broad public service and technical background to her current work in special collections management.
In her current role, she leads a team focused on expanding access to historical materials through digitization and public programming. She also provides leadership in public reference and research services, ensuring support for patrons engaging with local and regional history collections. She works closely with community and institutional partners on regional history projects, including collaborative efforts connected to America 250 commemorations and local heritage initiatives.
Her work emphasizes connecting people with primary sources, strengthening preservation practices, and making local history more accessible through both in-person and digital experiences.
Sandy Goldberg is the Education Director in the Kids’ Media & Education department at The WNET Group, the nonprofit parent company of Thirteen PBS – the flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area – and WLIW PBS on Long Island. In that capacity, she oversees the department’s preK-12 classroom content production, teacher professional development, and outreach efforts and helps to create a vision for the department’s future growth and development. Ms. Goldberg has worked in the education field for over 30 years and is an experienced classroom teacher, technology staff developer, and educational software producer. Since joining WNET in November 2002, she has produced numerous media-rich learning experiences for K-12 classrooms drawn from PBS productions. A key focus of her work has been inclusion of underrepresented groups in K-12 teaching and learning to help promote understanding, awareness, and self-esteem.
This public program is offered by the New York State Library and made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.
Daniel Tiger is Coming to Rochester!
Celebrate 60 years of WXXI’s commitment to engaging, educating, and inspiring our community with a special visit from Daniel Tiger at the Rochester and Monroe County America 250 Celebration!
WXXI is joining the community in celebrating America’s 250th birthday! On Sunday, July 12, stop by the PBS KIDS booth for a special photo opportunity with everyone’s favorite neighbor, Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Discover how WXXI has supported families and children from our earliest days to today through trusted educational programming and community engagement. It’s sure to be a grr-ific evening—we can’t wait to see you there! Bring the whole family and enjoy activities, memories, and a chance to celebrate this milestone with us.

Here’s What to Expect:
Daniel Tiger Photo Opps: Daniel Tiger photo opportunities will be available from 5-8 p.m. Photo opportunities will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Photo opportunities are for both growups and kids – bring your camera, snap a photo, or give Daniel a hug or a high-five! Please note, Daniel will have to take short breaks.
Birthday Card: Wish WXXI a happy 60th anniversary by signing our card! We’ll have crayons and markers for you to draw and write a happy birthday message.
Timeline of Children’s Educational Programming: Learn how WXXI’s work is rooted in early educational experiences anchored with children’s programming. See how WXXI’s long history of family and community engagement has connected, engaged, and provided a foundational of early learning for kids in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region for 60 years.
Event Details:
Monroe County’s America 250 Celebration is Rochester’s anniversary celebration for our nation, bringing the community together for an unforgettable summer night at ESL Ballpark. This free, family-friendly event transforms the stadium into a vibrant, high-energy experience featuring live music, great food and drink, and activities for all ages. From the outfield to the concourse, every corner of the ballpark comes to life with entertainment, community partners, and hands-on fun. The night builds toward a fireworks finale, creating a shared moment that brings the community together.
Location: ESL Ballpark – 1 Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY 14608
Date: Sunday, July 12
Time: 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.
More information: https://www.america250rochester.com
