Educational Productions
PBS Western Reserve’s Educational Services Department provides outstanding programs, services and resources to enhance learning outcomes for students, educators and learners of all ages.
Technology Skills
Computer Science for Your Classroom: Ohio’s Standards
The project highlights lessons from teachers who are bringing computer science concepts to their students in innovative ways. Produced 2020. (Grades K-8)
Teaching with Tech: Ohio’s Standards
TEACHING WITH TECH provides practical insights from creative educators successfully integrating the Ohio’s Learning Standards for Technology. Produced 2019. (Grades K-12)
Digital Skills: Developing Online Assessment Skills
As adults we do digital tasks on a daily basis without even realizing it. Most of these can easily be integrated into your lesson plans. Produced 2016. (Grades 3-4)
You Be the Producer
The purpose of this project is to provide guidance and resources for teachers so they can help students tell their stories digitally. Produced 2005. (Grades K-12)
Interdisciplinary
Teaching with Tech: Ohio’s Standards
TEACHING WITH TECH provides practical insights from creative educators successfully integrating the Ohio’s Learning Standards for Technology. Produced 2019. (Grades K-12)
Stark Contrast: A History of Stark County
STARK CONTRAST takes a look at the past, present and future of Stark County. Produced 2009. (Grades 6-8)
Digital Skills: Developing Online Assessment Skills
As adults we do digital tasks on a daily basis without even realizing it. Most of these can easily be integrated into your lesson plans. Produced 2016. (Grades 3-4)
Speaking of History … Doing Oral History Projects
Collecting and archiving oral histories is a wonderful way to present proficiency skills in a real-life setting and preserve histories. Produced 2002. (Grades 5-8)
Make-IT: Learning Through Exploration
MAKE-IT is a comprehensive online location of resources for those looking to learn about, gear up to create, and launch or grow their Makerspace. Produced 2016. (Grades 5-6)
Generations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Discover the story of Ohio's only national park. Generations talks about the park's natural wonders & the people whose lives have crossed its paths. Produced 2009. (Grades 4-8)
English Language Arts
Lost Voices of the Great War: Summit County in the WWI
Story of Summit County, Ohio residents’ experiences at home and overseas during WWI. Produced 2018. (Grades 5, 9-12)
Economics Academy 101
The focus of this project is to provide an understanding of the basics of economics, and to view economics with a historical perspective. Produced 2007. (Grades 4-8)
Ama-Zone: The Rain Forest Project
Are you ready for an adventure in the jungle? This role playing activity allows the students to explore the many issues surrounding the rain forest. Produced 2001. (Grades 6-12)
More Than Rhyme: Poetry Fundamentals
Poetry is using carefully selected words to create a specific emotional response. Students learn about the structure, usefulness and power of poetry. Produced 2013. (Grades 7-12)
Constitution Challenge
In the form of a game show, this project features both “the man of the street” and student contestants as they answer questions about the constitution. Produced 2006. (Grades 5-8)
Twenty-four Hours
Find out how local news works. Produced 2001. (Grades K-12)
projectRESEARCH: Consider the Source
Research is the tool that helps us to make informed decisions. This projects helps students learn the structure for creating a research project. Produced 2013. (Grades 7-12)
Snapshot: The Decades
Using historical footage and narration, this series focuses on the social, economic, political and scientific events from the 1920s to the 1960s. Produced 2006. (Grade 10)
K.C. and The Kidd
The Kidd is a detective. K.C. is his partner, the “kid in the computer.” When Kidd faces problems he can’t solve, you can help as part of the Kidd Crew. Produced 1995. (Grades 4-6)
Change My Mind
Students need to recognize persuasive techniques that are used to manipulate their thinking and how to use the same techniques to influence others. Produced 2008. (Grades 8-10)
The Language of Trauma and Loss
THE LANGUAGE OF TRAUMA AND LOSS provides teachers with information about the effect of trauma and loss on children. Produced 2005. (Grades 1-12)
Secrets of Sherlock (S.O.S.)
Sherlock is a very smart dog with big ideas that sometimes don’t work out. Students become “S.O.S. Trackers” to help him solve a variety of problems. Produced 1994. (Grades 4-6)
Mathematics
Accessible Shapes: Geometry
Students will learn about spatial visualization; surface area and volume; and the study of lines, angles and two- and three-dimensional shapes. Produced 2011. (Grade 6)
Big or Small: Measure It All
BIG OR SMALL: MEASURE IT ALL shows students how measurement is used every day in the “real world.” Produced 2007. (Grades 3-8)
Masters of Gravity
MASTERS OF GRAVITY is based on the All American Soap Box Derby. This series combines racing and learning in a fun process. Produced 2003. (Grades 5-6)
Phi 1.61803: Art in Math and Science
The lessons relate the mathematical concept of phi to the beauty of art. Videos study artwork at Akron Art Museum to help students understand the concept. Produced 2010. (Grade 5)
Math and Science Gumbo
The Kitchen Mathematician will beat, mix, blanche, toast, boil and fricassee food to explore the math and science that goes into cooking. Produced 2005. (Grades 3-6)
Ama-Zone: The Rain Forest Project
Are you ready for an adventure in the jungle? This role playing activity allows the students to explore the many issues surrounding the rain forest. Produced 2001. (Grades 6-12)
Floating on Air
Lighter-than-air enthusiasts share the fond memories and fascinating history of Akron’s unofficial mascot of the skies. Produced 2001. (Grades 6-8)
It’s a Gas: Math and Science of the Blimp
The workings of the blimp provide the framework for teachers to illustrate the concepts students must understand to pass Ohio’s proficiency tests. Produced 2004. (Grades 5-9)
Math nMotion
The concepts of Graphing Linear Equations, Inequalities, Ratio & Proportion and Using Data to Make Decisions are tackled through racing Formula M cars. Produced 2009. (Grade 8)
QuizBus: Dealing With Data
Students practice collecting data, presenting it in an understandable fashion, analyzing the data through graphing. Produced 2004. (Grades 4-8)
Science
Gone With the Weathering: The Result — Erosion
The lessons in this guide and the accompanying videos will help you discover how majestic mountains, crooked rivers and bumpy roads are formed. Produced 2012. (Grade 4)
Ubiquitous Science
UBIQUITOUS SCIENCE deals with Benchmark B, “In simple cases, describe the motion of objects & conceptually describe the effects of forces on an object.” Produced 2009. (Grades
108 Stitches: The Physics in Baseball
This multimedia project offers a science-based curriculum that uses the game of baseball to demonstrate basic principles of physics. Produced 2004. (Grades 6-10)
Ama-Zone: The Rain Forest Project
Are you ready for an adventure in the jungle? This role playing activity allows the students to explore the many issues surrounding the rain forest. Produced 2001. (Grades 6-12)
Earth Motion3: Our Changing Earth
Have you ever wondered how the mountains were formed or how the Grand Canyon was created? EARTH MOTION3 can help to explain these phenomena. Produced 2010. (Grades 7-9)
Jean-Pierre Gauthier: Machines at Play
PBS Western Reserve and the Akron Art Museum present Montreal artist Jean-Pierre Gauthier’s ingenious kinetic sculptures. Produced 2008. (Grades 2-5)
Antarctica: 90 Degrees South
This series goes south—so far south that it's almost north!—to discover the little-understood continent of Antarctica. Produced 2004. (Grades 3-8)
Dirty Little Secrets: Foundations From the Past
Geological findings of CSU, UA researchers. Produced 2001. (Grades 6-12)
Phi 1.61803: Art in Math and Science
The lessons relate the mathematical concept of phi to the beauty of art. Videos study artwork at Akron Art Museum to help students understand the concept. Produced 2010. (Grade 5)
Big or Small: Measure It All
BIG OR SMALL: MEASURE IT ALL shows students how measurement is used every day in the “real world.” Produced 2007. (Grades 3-8)
It’s a Gas: Math and Science of the Blimp
The workings of the blimp provide the framework for teachers to illustrate the concepts students must understand to pass Ohio’s proficiency tests. Produced 2004. (Grades 5-9)
Blow the Roof Off!
BLOW THE ROOF OFF! shares the fun and excitement of science and helps students find answers to all kinds of questions. Produced 1993. (Grades 4-5)
Floating on Air
Lighter-than-air enthusiasts share the fond memories and fascinating history of Akron’s unofficial mascot of the skies. Produced 2001. (Grades 6-8)
Math and Science Gumbo
The Kitchen Mathematician will beat, mix, blanche, toast, boil and fricassee food to explore the math and science that goes into cooking. Produced 2005. (Grades 3-6)
Masters of Gravity
MASTERS OF GRAVITY is based on the All American Soap Box Derby. This series combines racing and learning in a fun process. Produced 2003. (Grades 5-6)
Social Studies
Lost Voices of the Great War: Summit County in the WWI
Story of Summit County, Ohio residents’ experiences at home and overseas during WWI. Produced 2018. (Grades 5, 9-12)
Constitution Challenge
In the form of a game show, this project features both “the man of the street” and student contestants as they answer questions about the constitution. Produced 2006. (Grades 5-8)
A Simple Life
A SIMPLE LIFE visits the people and the places that populate Holmes County, Ohio, the center of the world's largest Amish population. Produced 2002. (Grades 4-8)
Who’s Your Boss?
WHO’S YOUR BOSS? profiles the achievements of six northeast Ohio youths and the organizations that support them. Produced 2009. (Grade 11)
Snapshot: The Decades
Using historical footage and narration, this series focuses on the social, economic, political and scientific events from the 1920s to the 1960s. Produced 2006. (Grade 10)
Act of Duty
Northeast Ohio men and women share their stories of battle and how it shaped their lives. Produced 2000. (Grades 6-12)
Economics Academy 101
The focus of this project is to provide an understanding of the basics of economics, and to view economics with a historical perspective. Produced 2007. (Grades 4-8)
One State-Many Nations: Native Americans of Ohio
This project studies the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Native American nations that have populated Ohio since prehistoric times. Produced 2004. (Grades 4-6)
K.C. and The Kidd
The Kidd is a detective. K.C. is his partner, the “kid in the computer.” When Kidd faces problems he can’t solve, you can help as part of the Kidd Crew. Produced 1995. (Grades 4-6)
The Middle Ages
The goal of THE MIDDLE AGES is to help students understand the basic concepts of this historical period, including the barbarian invasions and feudalism. Produced 2008. (Grade 7)
Main Street America
MAIN STREET AMERICA looks at revitalization projects in four cities, including Akron. Produced 2002. (Grades 9-12)
White House 20500
Alex and Ravi, the two 8th-grade characters in the story, discover how our government works. Produced 1993. (Grades 5-8)
Careers & Entrepreneurship
Career Connections: Get Ready for Your Career
The goal of this project is to help students match their interests and skills with a career path. Produced 2011-2015. (Grades 6-12)
Micro Business for Teens: Starting a Micro Business
Teens learn how to launch a successful micro business. Produced 2012. (Grades 6-12)
Who’s Your Boss?
WHO’S YOUR BOSS? profiles the achievements of six northeast Ohio youths and the organizations that support them. Produced 2009. (Grade 11)
The Arts
Shortcuts to Happiness: The Performing Arts
This video series offers insight into the careers that make “theater.” Each segment shows a profession: acting, writing, directing, etc. Produced 2005. (Grades 6-8)
Sharing Art
There are artists among us who actually make a living making art! Produced 2001. (Grades 6-8)
Media Literacy
You Be the Producer
The purpose of this project is to provide guidance and resources for teachers so they can help students tell their stories digitally. Produced 2005. (Grades K-12)
Media Moments
Students can find out what goes into making the nightly news and learn critical thinking skills in interacting with the media. Produced 2001. (Grades K-12)
Twenty-four Hours
Find out how local news works. Produced 2001. (Grades K-12)
Test-Taking Skills
Test Quest
Welcome to TEST QUEST, where you can set forth on an adventure to pass the Ultimate Challenge—the Proficiency Test. Produced 2002. (Grades K-12)