As the world keeps evolving, so do the tools we can use to bring about positive change—and that change starts with everyday people just like you. Follow three young adults eager to find innovative work with a social impact, and explore how inspiring professionals help change the world every time they punch the clock.
On-Demand
Being Free : Roadtrip Nation On-Demand
How do you find your path after serving time in the prison system? Reentering society may be paved with obstacles, but formerly incarcerated people are finding their footing back in the wider world every day. See how inspiring, system-impacted people are building fulfilling lives and navigating the complex realities beyond the walls of the carceral system.
Reclaiming our Roots | Ideas for All : Roadtrip Nation On-Demand
Meet the roadtrippers: Gabe, Jackie, and Tomi—three young people interested in health equity. Then, follow along as they talk to scientific experts and Indigenous leaders in the performance, education and culinary fields, who are taking inspiration from nature to help create equitable ecosystems within their own communities.
Equal Access from All Sides | Ideas for All : Roadtrip Nation On-Demand
See how everyday people are imagining a better future. Put on your chef’s hat and learn about equitable food systems and communities, then dive deep with ocean farmers navigating the waves of climate change. Along the way, explore epidemiology and computational genetics, and see how people are envisioning a more equitable future from a variety of different perspectives.
Craft in America • Watch On-Demand
CRAFT IN AMERICA, the Peabody Award-winning series on PBS, explores America’s creative spirit through the language and traditions of the handmade. With 31 episodes produced since 2007, the series takes viewers on a journey to the artists, origins and techniques of American craft. Each episode contains stories from diverse regions and cultures, blending history with living practice and exploring issues of identity, ritual, philosophy and creative expression.
Visit PBS Anywhere, to see all of the places you can watch Craft in America at home or on the go. You can also purchase DVDs of the Peabody Award-winning series for your home library, or get it on iTunes.
Student Mental Health Matters News Reports
Public media stations across New York state are collaborating to create a teacher professional development toolkit to improve student mental health. Using PBS Learning Media, teachers will better understand and address self-harm among students. To further raise awareness, public media journalists are focusing coverage on the topic as well. Funding for this program is provided in part by the New York State Education Department.
Fairport teens will start classes later as of 2026-27 school year Noelle E. C. Evans, September 18, 2024Teens soon will get more time to sleep in on school days in Fairport as a districtwide shift in start times is on the horizon. LISTEN • 1:25
RCSD’s Ruth Turner: ROC Restorative H.U.B serves hundreds of Rochester students, September 13, 2024 Rochester city schools are putting more energy behind an alternative center for conflict resolution, and a “hub” of mediators is shaping a new district-wide approach to violence prevention.
Connections How to best support students’ mental and emotional health as the school year begins Connections with Evan Dawson” on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, we speak with students about the decline in youth mental health and the types of support adults can provide. LISTEN • 51:05
Rochester City School District opens new middle schools and confronts familiar challenges-Noelle E. C. Evans, September 5, 2024This week marked the return of students across the region. Thursday was particularly noteworthy in Rochester as one of the largest reconfigurations in the City School District’s history meant hundreds of students were starting the year at a new school. LISTEN • 4:14- –
Rochester leaders urge parents to step up for youth emotional health–Noelle E. C. Evans, September 4, 2024Rochester city officials and mental health advocates are calling on parents and caregivers to build deeper connections with their children this school year. LISTEN • 1:36
Connections: State Sen. Samra Brouk on mental health-Evan Dawson, “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, we welcome state Sen. Samra Brouk for a discussion on her plans to address mental health issues for people of color. LISTEN • 51:31
A state law could change the look of college IDs in New York for the sake of mental healthNoelle E. C. Evans-, July 18, 2024 Could a simple set of three digits on New York college student IDs save lives? LISTEN • 3:23
Connections: How a new pediatric urgent care is expected to address the mental health needs of local youthEvan Dawson, On “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, May 16, 2024, our guests discuss the state of pediatric mental health care in the region and how they think a new urgent care opening in July will help bridge gaps in treatment. LISTEN • 51:36
Connections: Examining youth mental health in the pandemic era-Evan Dawson, On “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, we host a discussion with mental health advocates about how the pandemic adversely affected the mental health of young people and how to best support them. LISTEN • 51:36
Gov. Hochul’s upcoming state budget addresses student mental health matters. Local leaders respond-Noelle E. C. Evans, January 9, 2024 Gov. Kathy Hochul says efforts to improve youth mental health will be a priority in her upcoming New York state budget proposal.
R-Centers offer teen mental health support through winter breakNoelle E. C. Evans, December 26, 2023Some recreation centers in Rochester have been bolstered with more mental health supports for teens and their families — the winter school break will offer more opportunities for students to access those services.
Connections: How local teens are getting more involved in understanding their social and emotional health, November 15, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, our guests discuss how local teenagers are gaining a better understanding of their social/emotional health and how to care for it. LISTEN • 51:21
URMC debuts teen drama therapy performance at OFC Creations-Noelle E. C. Evans, October 27, 2023. Drama therapy might not be widely known or practiced, but a theater production this weekend showcases the fusion of art and healing. LISTEN • 4:11
How can we have more open conversations about mental illness, including suicidal ideation? “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, we explore how to have more open conversations about mental illness, including suicidal ideation. It’s a theme of this year’s Reel Mind Film Festival. LISTEN • 51:24- Local NewsStudents face mental health care barriers. A proposed law might helpNoelle E. C. Evans, October 4, 2023A lack of mental health services at schools and colleges is a national issue that hits home in Western New York, but proposed recommendations could remove obstacles.LISTEN • 4:17
- Local NewsLocal institutions work to meet ‘profound and startling’ demand for teen mental health servicesRacquel Stephen, October 2, 2023Although progress is being made toward addressing teen mental health, experts say there’s still more that needs to be done to meet the demand for resources. A new facility that’s in the works aims to help do that.
- Local NewsMeet the game-changers leading a mental health movement among student-athletesNoelle E. C. Evans, September 29, 2023A club at Nazareth is one of nearly 1,400 Morgan’s Message ambassador programs at colleges and high schools around the country. These programs are a place where students lead conversations about mental health.LISTEN • 7:41
- New York Public News NetworkNew York state leaders say they are making gains on addressing teen mental healthKaren DeWitt, September 27, 2023Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature invested $1 billion into mental health services in the current state budget. Part of that money is earmarked for services specifically for teenagers.LISTEN • 3:19
- ConnectionsMelissa Kearney, author of ‘The Two-Parent Privilege’Evan Dawson, September 27, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, we talk with Melissa Kearney, author of “The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind.”LISTEN • 51:37
- ConnectionsFormer WNBA all-star Chamique Holdsclaw on mental health advocacyEvan Dawson, September 26, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, we’re joined by former WNBA all-star and mental health advocate Chamique Holdsclaw to discuss how communities can better support people with mental health challenges.LISTEN • 51:30
- Local NewsRCSD’s Ruth Turner leads restorative approaches to conflict with new H.U.B.Noelle E. C. Evans, September 25, 2023There’s a new space for resolving conflicts and interrupting cycles of violence at the Rochester City School District.LISTEN • 1:28
- Local NewsGreece joins school districts suing social media giants over alleged harms to childrenDavid Andreatta, September 20, 2023Districts allege social media apps are to blame for student struggles with mental health and discipline problems that divert resources from education.LISTEN • 1:25
- ConnectionsWhy are teens with mental health challenges not getting care?Evan Dawson, September 20, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, we discuss why teens with mental health challenges are not getting the care they need.LISTEN • 52:12
- Local NewsNazareth University expands mental wellness programs with $300,000 federal grantNoelle E. C. Evans, September 19, 2023Students and staff at Nazareth University will see an expansion of mental health outreach starting this fall.LISTEN • 1:14
- ConnectionsWhat do young people think causes hopelessness or lack of direction?Evan Dawson, August 31, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, August 31, 2023, we talk with youth organizers from Teen Empowerment about what they think causes hopelessness or lack of direction.LISTEN • 51:46
- Local NewsHousing instability hurts Rochester students’ academic performance, says reportJeremy Moule, August 24, 2023The Children’s Agenda is calling on the state to enact policies and programs to help families find a stable place to live.
- ConnectionsSummer Book Week: A look inside children’s books dealing with anxietyJasmin Singer, August 18, 2023In the second hour of “Connections Summer Book Week” on Friday, August 18, we discuss anxiety presented through children’s books.LISTEN • 51:43
- Local NewsKids coping with trauma and violence can start finding help at some city recreation centersBeth Adams, July 12, 2023In an effort to boost the emotional health of Rochester’s children, the city is launching a one-year pilot program at its recreation centers.
- Local NewsGreece Athena High School pilots a counseling app for student mental wellnessNoelle E. C. Evans, May 29, 2023The Greece Central School District is rolling out a pilot program to see if a phone app could improve student mental health.LISTEN • 1:18
- Local NewsState budget allots funding for youth mental healthAva Pukatch, May 17, 2023May is Mental Health Awareness month and the New York state budget includes $1 billion toward transforming the state’s mental health care — $30 million of that is focused on children.LISTEN • 1:34
- Local NewsConference in Rochester provides resources for girls ages 10 to 16Stephanie Ballard-Foster, April 17, 2023A mother-daughter conference in Rochester over the weekend was designed to help girls learn more about mental and emotional health supports available to them.
- ConnectionsWhat do young people need when it comes to digital literacy education?Evan Dawson, April 12, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, our guests discuss the role and impact of digital media in teens’ lives.LISTEN • 51:57
- ConnectionsCan music help teens and young adults struggling with mental health challenges?Evan Dawson, March 23, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, March 23, 2023, our guests discuss how music can help people address mental health challenges.LISTEN • 50:56
- Local NewsSurvey: Parents say kids lack mental health services in Monroe County schoolsNoelle E. C. Evans, March 22, 2023The Children’s Agenda is calling for robust solutions to what they say is a mental health crisis among children and teens – including improving access to care in schools.LISTEN • 1:23
- Local NewsHochul proposes $1 billion to boost statewide mental health services in wake of pandemicNoelle E. C. Evans, March 17, 2023Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for $1 billion worth of mental health services across New York state, with a strong focus on addressing the needs of children and teens.LISTEN • 1:28
- ConnectionsHow local institutions are working to connect people to mental health servicesEvan Dawson, January 9, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Monday, January 9, 2023, why is mental health getting worse over time? We discuss the question with mental health professionals and hear about how they evaluate mental health challenges.LISTEN • 51:26
- Local NewsHow a new Rochester youth center came to be named for the ObamasBrian Sharp, January 9, 2023Teen Empowerment has landed a major donor for its new center. And his contribution came with an unusual request.LISTEN • 4:54
- ConnectionsHow to help teens cope with trauma and mental health challengesEvan Dawson, December 27, 2022In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Tuesday December 27, 2022 we talk with representatives of BreathDeep, Inc., a program that provides wellness resources to marginalized groups.LISTEN • 51:48
- Local NewsCollege students need more mental health resources, speakers stress at state hearingNoelle E. C. Evans, December 1, 2022State lawmakers gathered this week for a public hearing on college students’ mental health needs ahead of the upcoming 2023 legislative session.LISTEN • 1:15
- Local NewsRCSD partners with the University of Rochester to support students’ mental health needsRacquel Stephen, September 28, 2022The University of Rochester and the Rochester City School District are partnering again, this time to provide mental health training to school staff.
The Sun Queen On-Demand
Unsung scientist Mária Telkes dedicated her career to harnessing the power of the sun.
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. Available to watch through 4/3/2026.
D-Day Education Resources & Videos
The D-Day 360 collection includes the full documentary and also video clips and discussion and activity suggestions for the 9th-12th grade classroom. Personal stories, statistical data, and details surrounding the massive logistical effort of D-Day, the invasion of the beaches at Normandy, France, by the Allied Forces on June 6, 1944. This costly event led to the eventual liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany towards the end of World War Two. D-Day was, at its time, the most meticulously planned operation in military history. This documentary produced for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day focuses on the invasion of Omaha Beach by the American forces under General Omar Bradley. The film uses raw data gathered through forensic laser scanning, 3D computer modeling, and eye-witness accounts to shed new light on this important turning point in World War II. The run time of this video is approximately one hour.
Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class. Recommended for 9th-12th grade.
Note: Please preview all media for age appropriateness before using it with students. See grade level recommendations on media listings and cautionary notes for guidance.
Additional Resources
Reflections on war past and present permeate D-Day 80th anniversary (NPR, 2024)
Moments in History: D-Day Normandy Invasion Veterans’ Memories (NPR, 2024)
D-Day anniversary shines a spotlight on “Rosie the Riveter” women who built the weapons of WWII (PBS Newshour, 2024)
Ken Burns: The War: Major Battles
Additional D-Day Video Clips & Lessons from PBS LearningMedia
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