The Learning Lab at WOUB Public Media

Travel back to early Texas statehood and explore how efforts to preserve the Southwest corner of the state led to the creation of a national park! Use this resource to help students investigate how citizens worked to protect privately owned land and turn it into a public treasure. (Grades: 3-8)

The Story Behind Big Bend National Park | Grades 3-5, 6-8 Social Studies Teaching and Lesson Resources Travel back in history to the time when Texas was a new state. West Texans wanted to see the Southwestern corner of the state preserved but there was one big hurdle. The land in that area was all privately owned unlike parks created in other Western states. Find out how Newspaperman Amon Carter and....

Introduce students to Anabella, a tigertastic 10-year-old who helps care for her younger brothers, including one with multiple disabilities. Daniel Tiger’s message about being a “big helper” can spark meaningful conversations about empathy, responsibility, and supporting family members. (Grades: PreK-2)

Anabella's Story | Many Ways to Show You Care | Grades PreK-K, K-2 Preschool Teaching and Lesson Resources Meet Anabella, a tigertastic 10-year-old who helps care for her younger brothers, one of whom has multiple disabilities. Daniel Tiger hosts the video and highlights that children can look for ways to be big helpers in their families.

Guide students in understanding how a simple observation of sea lampreys on basking sharks led to a major scientific discovery! This lesson supports scientific inquiry as students ask questions, examine evidence, and follow along as researchers investigate real-world observations. (Grades: 6-8)

The Shark and the Lamprey | Grades 6-8, 13+ English Language Arts and Literacy Teaching and Lesson Resources Jonathan shares how a seemingly trivial observation of parasitic lampreys on the backs of basking sharks led to an important discovery about the biology of the parasitic sea lamprey. He returned the next year with a shark biologist and a lamprey biologist to attempt to recover living lampreys from t...

What makes Cuyahoga Valley National Park worth protecting? Invite students to explore how this Ohio park preserves natural beauty and wildlife near growing cities. (Grades: 3-8)

Take a Hike Around Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Know Ohio | Grades 3-5, 6-8 Social Studies Teaching and Lesson Resources Ohio is happy to be home to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The area was set aside to keep growing cities from erasing the natural beauty and local wildlife. Mary takes us on a tour of some of the park's top features including the path along the Ohio Erie canal, the geology of Richie Ledges, and anim...

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a Let's Go Luna! lesson on the history of Independence Day! This resource helps students explore the importance of voting, civic engagement, and having a voice. (Grades: PreK-2)

The Fourth of July | Let's Go Luna! | Grades PreK-K, K-2 Preschool Teaching and Lesson Resources Andy learns the history of the Fourth of July and uses this knowledge to inspire changes at the Circo. NOTE: The Watch With a Purpose tool is also available in Spanish.

How do symbols reflect a country’s values? Guide students in exploring U.S. symbols, then extend learning with a creative activity where they design their own symbol of democracy. (Grades: K-2)

Symbols of Democracy | Together We Can | Grades K-2 Social Studies Teaching and Lesson Resources In this video, our Together We Can friends learn about different symbols of the United States of America. This video expands children’s understanding of symbols as more than images and objects—symbols can be powerful representations of our shared culture and values, such as freedom, resilience, ...

How do stories and traditions connect cultures around the world? Guide students in exploring global heritage with this collection highlighting food, art, folktales, and cultural experiences. (Grades: PreK-8)

World Cultures Collection | PBS LearningMedia Explore the world with PBS LearningMedia! This collection focuses on food, folktales, and other aspects of cultural heritage. With your class, hear stories, play through situations, and learn how to make crafts from cultures near and far.

Invite students to explore creek habitats and discover macroinvertebrates — small, backbone-less animals they can see with the naked eye. This resource builds observation skills while exploring freshwater ecosystems. (Grades: K-5)

The Creek | Shaver's Creek Virtual Field Trip | Grades K-2, 3-5 Science Teaching and Lesson Resources Creeks are a great habitat for animals. Some of the smallest animals you can find in a creek are called macroinvertebrates. Macro means that they are big enough to see with our eyes. Invertebrates means that they do not have a backbone.

How did Pelé shape soccer into the global “beautiful game”? Explore his legacy and cultural impact with your class through reflections on the life and influence of the Brazilian soccer legend. (Grades: 6-12)

Remembering Pelé’s Legacy and Global Impact on Soccer | PBS NewsHour | Grades 6-8, 9-12 Health and Physical Education Teaching and Lesson Resources Soccer fans around the world are mourning the loss of Brazilian soccer legend Pelé who passed away Thursday at the age of 82. He was the face of the global game for decades and helped shape soccer into the “beautiful game.” JJ Devaney of the podcast “Caught Offside” joined Laura Barrón-Ló...

Take students inside the art, history, and science of glass-making with a virtual field trip to the Corning Museum of Glass! Then, use the teaching tips and activities to extend learning in the classroom. (Grades: K-5)

Corning Museum of Glass | Let's Go! | Grades K-2, 3-5 English Language Arts and Literacy Teaching and Lesson Resources Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of glass art and objects at the Corning Museum of Glass. Host Chrisena explores thought-provoking art installations like a chandelier blinking in Morse code and a 3D display of global population change. Under the microscope in the lab, she examines the uncer...