For Immediate Release
Stories of Innovation and Invention Featured in ‘What If…’
LINCOLN, Neb. (Dec. 15, 2022) – New episodes of Nebraska Public Media’s television and digital series “What If…” take viewers from the Sandhills to our cities capturing innovation, creativity, invention and discovery along the way.
“What If…” premieres at 7 p.m. CT, Thursday, Jan. 5 on Nebraska Public Media. Watch the series plus a collection of digital extras at NebraskaPublicMedia.org/whatif.
Producer and host Mike Tobias tells stories about clever concepts and diverse characters, while pulling back the curtain on the television production process.
The Jan. 5 episode will take viewers to a “ranch of the future” where researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory are working on new technology like virtual fencing, automated feeders and 3D imaging.
Other new stories include:
“No More Empty Pots” – Meet Nancy Williams who created an innovative, multidimensional Omaha non-profit focused on food security.
“Making Macarons” – Learn how to make macarons from Omaha food entrepreneur Melissa Pressler.
“Good Living Camp” – The unique Rabble Mill and Nebraska 4-H partnership brought rural and urban Nebraska kids together to zip line, skateboard, create beats and learn about each other at the State 4-H Camp near Halsey.
The Jan. 12 episode will take you inside the creation of the American Outlaws, the unofficial fan organization for men’s and women’s U.S. national soccer. It has more than 20,000 members and more than 200 chapters in the U.S. and abroad, and it was started by friends from Lincoln.
Other new stories in the episode include:
“Opendorse” – Former Nebraska football players Blake Lawrence and Adi Kunalic created the Lincoln social media marketing company Opendorse to help athletes market themselves. The company works mostly with college athletes thanks to the new “NIL” era, in which college athletes can profit off their name, image and likeness while playing college sports.
“SheMate” – Omaha entrepreneur Teresa Friesen created SheMate to connect female athletes for mentoring and advice, also taking advantage of new “NIL” rules.
“Whiteclay Makerspace” – In a building that was once a bar in a small village notorious for fueling alcoholism on the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation, the new Whiteclay Makerspace is now providing resources for Oglala Lakota artists.
Past episodes of “What If…” will continue to air in January.
An educational component of “What If…” called “Innovator Insights,” is available in the PBS LearningMedia library at nebraskapublicmedia.pbslearningmedia.org. Kids ask the questions in the newest videos. The media collection, developed with teacher input, is a classroom resource with age-appropriate content for fourth-graders and high school students.
At Meadows Elementary in Ralston and Ralston High School, the “What If…” crew recorded kids inquiring about things like risk taking, collaboration, innovation, learning from failure and success.
The collection of more than 30 videos is available in English and with Spanish subtitles, along with resources for teachers.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Sandi Karstens, 402-470-6578
About Nebraska Public Media
Nebraska Public Media has been dedicated to connecting Nebraskans through news, sports, education, and entertainment for nearly 70 years. Providing global news and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, Nebraska Public Media also produces award-winning original content. Its programs and services reach 1 million people each month across the state on television, radio, online and mobile platforms. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.