The Nebraska Public Media education team engaged students and families through hands-on and digital learning experiences across the state.
Kids Explore Careers With PBS KIDS and Live Music
Kids explored future careers while rocking out with the stars of the PBS KIDS podcast Jamming on the Job, where kids meet grown-ups with different kinds of jobs.
Nebraska’s own band, The String Beans, also energized families with a live performance. Nearly 300 kids interacted with hands-on activity booths, available in English and Spanish. This open-house experience invited families to explore at their own pace and engage with playful activities rooted in STEM, literacy, music, art, numeracy and social emotional learning – all tied to career paths.
More than 15 state and community partners hosted booths alongside our education team. Children, families and caregivers were also able to take photos with PBS KIDS characters Lyla and Stu from Lyla in the Loop, Zadie from Work It Out Wombats and Daniel Tiger and explore behind the scenes of our production studio.
What If… Nebraska Sparks Creative Learning in Fremont
Students at Keene Memorial Library in Fremont dove into hands-on innovation through a new Innovator Makerspace program. The pilot program guided middle school-aged kids through identifying real-world problems, building prototypes and creating their own product pitches.
As an extension of Innovator Insights inspired by our What If… Nebraska television series, kids began with something simple, like thinking about how a robot could simplify their daily routines. The process built both confidence and media skills. One student started out shy but gained confidence with her final product pitch.
After hosting three sessions and engaging 90 students, the team plans to expand this creative learning concept to more libraries across the state.
Education Team Reaches Over 1,000 Statewide
Our education team reached over 1,000 children, families and educators through in-person events highlighting local resources, PBS KIDS and PBS LearningMedia. We promoted multigenerational learning by partnering with schools, libraries and community organizations across the state. Many families attended multiple events, drawn by engaging hands-on activities and valuable professional development opportunities.
This story comes from our 2024–2025 Annual Report, showcasing highlights from that fiscal year. Read the full report here.