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American Experience: The Sun Queen • WXXI-WORLD

Unsung scientist Mária Telkes dedicated her career to harnessing the power of the sun.

American Experience: The Sun Queen airs Saturday, October 19 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD.

For nearly 50 years, chemical engineer and inventor Mária Telkes applied her prodigious intellect to harnessing the power of the sun. She designed and built the world’s first successfully solar-heated modern residence and identified a promising new chemical that, for the first time, could store solar heat like a battery. And yet, along the way, she was undercut and thwarted by her boss and colleagues — all men — at MIT. Despite these obstacles, Telkes persevered and, upon her death in 1995, held more than 20 patents. 

She is now recognized as a visionary pioneer in the field of sustainable energy. An unexpected and largely forgotten heroine, Telkes was remarkable in her vision and tenacity — a scientist and a woman in every way ahead of her time. Her research and innovations from the 1930s through the ‘70s continue to shape how we power our lives today. Produced and directed by Amanda Pollak, produced and written by Gene Tempest, and executive produced by Cameo George.

CREATE Showcase: Opa! • WXXI-CREATE


Chef Maria Loi serves up the secrets to authentic Mediterranean cuisine and Greek history.

CREATE Showcase: Opa! airs Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on WXXI-CREATE.

Chef Maria Loi is an internationally renowned entrepreneur, author, television personality and philanthropist working to change the world – one healthy bite at a time. Known as the Julia Child of Greece, she is the founder and face of a lifestyle brand that nurtures a healthy body and soul, melds the inspiration of ancient Greece with a modern approach to the Mediterranean diet, cooks up a heaping dose of happiness, humor and joy and helps people boost their immunity and improve their health, wellness and longevity.

Secrets of The Museum • WXXI-TV

Go behind-the-scenes at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the world-famous home of art, design and performance, where only a fraction of the 2 million item collection is on public display.

Secrets of a The Museum, Season 1, Eps. 4 -6 of 6 airs Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Ep. 4: An original Star Wars costume with a missing head; renovating two of the largest galleries in the V&A museum; a rare David Bowie photo and an original road sign enter the collection.

Ep. 5: Cataloguing the costumes; Frankenstein’s monster must be brought back to life; photos of the real Alice in Wonderland; repairing Shakespeare’s First Folio.

Ep. 6: Transporting a unique car; a rare medieval jewel undergoes a deep clean; a mosaic piece has experimental surgery.

Photo Credit: APT

American Experience: Women in American History On-Demand

Women lead advancements in science, technology, politics, sports and activism—often fighting against inequity and opposition at every turn.

In this American Experience: Women in American History collection, explore films, interviews, articles, image galleries and more for an in-depth look at notable female figures in American history.

The American Experience Women’s Collection on PBS LearningMedia includes great short video clips and lessons for the classroom. (Grades 8-12)

More Women's History Resources

Exploring Ireland with Michael • WXXI-TV

The hidden treasures and majestic beauty of the Emerald Isle.

Exploring Ireland with Michael airs Sunday, June 1 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Combining glorious video footage from the Emerald Isle, fascinating travel destinations, exciting cultural experiences, and performances from popular Irish artists and rising stars, EXPLORING IRELAND WITH MICHAEL uncovers the hidden treasures and majestic beauty of this breathtaking country.

NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge

The annual Student Podcast Challenge is will be accepting entries for middle school – high school contest is open for podcast submissions for 2025. The national judges will choose winners in three categories: grade four, grades five through eight, and grades nine through 12.

Eligible: GRADES 4-12
(Teacher involvement is required.)
Deadline for submissions is May 2, 2025.

As in the past, entries must be submitted by a teacher, educator, or mentor who is 18 years or older. And don’t forget all the tips, advice and lesson plans we’ve compiled over the years – more on that below. Especially the rules around the maximum length of eight minutes, and about the use of music.  After years of listening to student podcasts, we’ve learned that shorter is better.


Getting started? Check out these resources:


    Teacher & Student Resources

    Listen to Other Student Podcasts

    Listen to Grand Prize Winner for the 2024 High School Podcast Challenge:

    Learn more by listening to some of the podcasts at the Special Series NPR Podcast Challenge Page.

    Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands On-Demand

    Discover an international singer who captivated royalty in Europe and defied the conscience of 1939 America. 

    American Masters: Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands is available on-demand through 9/1/2024

    The film explores the life, career, art and legacy of the African American contralto and civil rights pioneer in her own words using archival interview recordings. Marian Anderson’s singing and speaking voice are heard throughout the documentary, providing new understanding of the woman behind the music.

    Spotlighting Anderson’s voice and point of view, the documentary draws from 34 cassette tapes of interviews recorded in the 1950s, when she was preparing to write her memoir, “My Lord, What a Morning,” and other archival interviews. Anchored by key performances in her career,  American Masters – Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands shows how her quiet genius and breathtaking voice set the stage for Black performers in classical music, and a louder voice for civil rights. Additionally, with unprecedented access to the Marian Anderson Estate, the documentary draws on rare audio recordings, photographs and personal correspondence to and from family and friends, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Josephine Baker and Langston Hughes.

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