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Invasive Species: Education Resources

WXXI Education has pulled together educational support resources related to learning about invasive species.

In support of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) new documentary called “Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species”, WXXI Education staff have collected resources from our partners and PBS LearningMedia that are appropriate for use with middle and high school students.

These materials touch on: invasive species, climate change, biodiversity, human activity, stewardship, restoration, community science, and more. 

NYSDEC Resources
The following materials are resources shared by New York State Department of Environmental Convservation:

  • Invasive Species Education & Outreach Initiatives
  • K-12 Invasive Species Educator Resources: It is crucial that students have a basic understanding of invasive species and what they can do to help stop the spread. By instilling this knowledge at an early age, we can help mold them into becoming good stewards of the environment. Incorporate invasive species into your classroom by utilizing these resources.
  • About Uninvited: The documentary introduces the concept of invasive species and highlights some of the species threatening New York’s environment and economy, while also showing some innovative ways that New York State is combatting these threats. Uninvited features the collaborative work of DEC and its partners including NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, the eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), New York State Invasive Species Research Institute (NYISRI), and more. More details can be found here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/114620.html

     Watch the full documentary here:

Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) Resources
The following materials are provided by New York State’s PRISMs and Finger Lakes PRISM:

PBS LearningMedia Resources

To support instruction, WXXI Education has pulled together a list of educational resources available through PBS LearningMedia:

Topic: Invasive Species

Topic: Climate Change

Topic: Stewardship / Human Impact /Conservation

Topic: Biodiversity / Ecosystems

The Life Autistic On-Demand

Iowans with autism illustrate the nuances of The Life Autistic in this two-hour broadcast documentary. Host Tyler Leech, a member of Iowa’s community of people with autism, guides us through all twelve stories from the original Iowa PBS web series.

Also: Explore the challenges and successes of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and meet people on the spectrum from the very young to the elderly living The Life Autistic. From the Life Autistic Collection

Elinor Wonders Why: Songs, Videos & Activities

Play games and watch full episodes of Elinor Wonders Why on pbskids.org/elinor

PBS KIDS for Parents Elinor Wonders Why Show Page: Articles, Games, and Activities

PBS LearningMedia Elinor Wonders Why Collections: Elinor Wonders Why Collection & Elinor Wonders Why Ready to Learn

Where to Watch:

Elinor Wonders Why Videos Playlist

About the Show:  Elinor Wonders Why is a PBS KIDS animated show encourages children to follow their curiosity, ask questions, figure out the answers, and learn about the natural world around them using their science inquiry skills. The multiplatform series, created by celebrated cartoonist and robotics engineer, Jorge Cham, and physicist and educator, Daniel Whiteson, produced in partnership with Pipeline Studios.

Developed for children ages 3-5, Elinor Wonders Why centers on the adventures of Elinor and her pals, Ari, a funny and imaginative bat; and Olive, a perceptive and warm elephant. As young viewers explore Animal Town along with Elinor, Ari and Olive, they will meet all kinds of interesting, funny, and quirky characters, each with a lesson to share about respecting others, the importance of diversity, caring for the environment and working together to solve problems. Elinor models the foundational practices of science inquiry and engineering design in each episode, using her amazing powers of observation and willingness to ask questions. When she encounters something she doesn’t understand, like why birds have feathers or how tiny ants build massive anthills, she perseveres until she figures it out. In discovering the answers, Elinor often learns something about nature’s ingenious inventions and how they can relate to aspects of our designed world, as well as what it takes to live in a community.

WXXI Favorite Activities:

See Games, Activities and Videos from the Elinor Wonders Why Series at PBS KIDS

Find articles, games, and hands-on activities to go with the series at the PBS KIDS for Parents Elinor Wonders Why Page

L.A.: A Queer History On-Demand

The 2-part series sheds light on the roots of “gay culture” born in Los Angeles.

The 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York has been widely regarded as the beginning of the Gay Civil Rights Movement, but the true heart of the movement, and what we know as “Gay Culture” was born in Los Angeles. “L.A.: A Queer History” sheds light on historical figures who are largely unacknowledged, creating a newfound dialogue about LGBTQ history but also a better understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Culture & Criminalization: Episode 1


Protests & Parades: Episode 2

The Lodge On-Demand

A look inside the first-of-its kind LGBTQ+ retirement community.

Fountaingrove Lodge in Santa Rosa, California, is the nation’s first state-licensed continuing care retirement community (CCRC) that’s specifically for LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies. The Lodge looks inside this unique experiment in gay/straight living to show us the daily lives, hopes, and fears of people in their 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. What you discover will surprise you.

Positive All the Way On-Demand

Learn the inspiring story of the Paralympic movement’s recent revolution, profiling its extraordinary founder, Sir Philip Craven.

This film explores the power of adaptive sport to ignite the human spirit and simultaneously weaves a tapestry of how Sir Philip Craven the former president of the International Paralympic Committee, guided the world’s largest adaptive sports organization to become a global leader for social change. Positive All the Way tells the inspiring story of the Paralympic movement’s recent revolution, profiling its extraordinary founder, Sir Philip Craven, who was paralyzed at age 16 but was determined to make an impact in the way the world sees these courageous athletes.

As the film explores the power of adaptive sport to ignite the human spirit, it simultaneously weaves a tapestry of one man’s journey to bring inclusion and opportunity to the world. Reflecting on his tenure as President of the International Paralympic Committee, Sir Philip Craven recounts his life experiences and battles, including the fall which left him paralyzed at the age of 16. It was these obstacles, paired with his values, that shaped the leader and the Paralympic movement he so clearly loves.

Protactile: A Language of Touch On-Demand

Join author and disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander as she meets the founders and educators of Protactile, a language based solely on touch. Historically, DeafBlind people have been limited to using interpreters to communicate. With Protactile, one-on-one and group conversations are not only possible, but they also allow for deeper and more meaningful connection. From American Masters.

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