Tag Archives: Education

Austin High School students meet Jim Lehrer at Overheard taping

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Jim Lehrer from PBS NewsHour with Austin High School students

Guest blog by Laura Laufer
senior media arts student at Austin High School

Having been involved with the PBS Student Reporting Labs for the last year as a junior, it was a real treat to be able to tour the KLRU studio and view one of the tapings for Overheard with Evan Smith with Jim Lehrer as the guest. It was only a year ago when my teacher was showing me a video clip of Mr. Lehrer addressing me and my classmates about the journey we were about to take working with the PBS NewsHour Extra website. Having only seen a high school media studio it was mind blowing to walk around the maze of KLRU’s office to see studios the size of our classroom and a control board that looked like something off of a spaceship. It was not only the size that was impressive, but the staff of KLRU is truly amazing; being able to watch them in their element was enjoyable and enlightening. (See photos from this taping on KLRU’s Flickr page)

The taping was my favorite part, listening to Jim Lehrer crack jokes about all of the politicians he’s interviewed was the highlight of my day. My parents were also jealous that I got to sit in on such an influential political figurehead which made the gloating that much more enjoyable. It was a learning experience as well. Being the youngest crowd there Overheard gave insight to the class about the inner workings of political interviews, a process that had never been explained to us. more →

KLRU programming helps families plan for economic hardship

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November 10, 2011 — This month’s Literacy Night/Meals for Minds at Pickle Elementary on Tuesday, November 15th, will focus on the KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, program Sesame Street’s Food for Thought. The project will help approximately 400 families in the Austin area.

Sesame Street’s Food for Thought, a bilingual, multimedia program, is designed to help families coping with uncertain or limited access to affordable and nutritious food. With a focus on families with children ages birth to 8, the project provides resources including recipes, menu guides, shopping lists and tips for families. Sesame Street’s Food for Thought also features one of the show’s newest characters that will help children learn about food issues.

“It’s an important sign of the times that Sesame Street has introduced a new Muppet, Lily, who lives with food uncertainty, and that the nationwide reaction to Lily has been so strong,” said Ben Kramer, KLRU’s Director of Educational Services. “We’re thankful to take part in this project, a remarkable collaboration of Austin organizations tackling hunger, nutrition, and education.”

November’s Literacy Night/Meals for Minds at Pickle Elementary takes place from 5-7:30 p.m. on November 15th and includes dinner for the invited families, teaching activities and food distribution. The event is part of a Target and Capital Area Food Bank grant called Meals for Minds, which brings food to feed elementary school students and their families most in need. With nearly 1 in 4 Texas children now living at risk of hunger the Capital Area Food Bank in partnership with Target, created this program to combat childhood hunger, and its impact on children’s education, while increasing parental involvement in their child’s education. Other sponsoring agencies include Austin ISD, City of Austin Parks and Recreation, Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, Austin Public Library.

About KLRU:
KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, presents quality multimedia content that engages people in the thoughtful exchange of ideas, the expression of the arts, and enjoyable lifelong learning opportunities, resulting in a more vibrant community and a higher quality of life. In addition to providing locally produced and quality national television programming, KLRU is also a non-profit organization helping to build a stronger community through educational workshops, community engagement projects and public events. Known as the producing station of the longest-running live music television show AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, KLRU has also worked on several other national productions including OVERHEAD WITH EVAN SMITH and documentaries like CITIZEN ARCHITECT and LAST BEST HOPE. Get more information about KLRU at klru.org.

KLRU donates Library Corner to Sí Se Puede Learning Center

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PBS Kids Raising Readers Library Corner at Si Se Puede Learning Center

Sí Se Puede Learning Center, an organization dedicated to providing a nurturing environment in which young kids and their parents gain the knowledge and skills to succeed, is partnering with KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, to launch the center’s first PBS Kids Raising Readers Library Corner. Located in a corner of the on-site computer lab, the cozy library is stock full of engaging children’s reading and activity books, as well as computer games to foster literacy and learning.

All materials have been donated by KLRU-TV, whose dedication to fostering a love for reading among children comes to life in the materials it publishes and television shows it produces. Christina Collazo, Executive Director at Sí Se Puede, views this commitment as being closely aligned with her organization’s efforts to promote reading and English-language learning in school and at home. “Given that most of our young students don’t speak English at home, we have the opportunity to give children a head-start in the language before they enter kindergarten,” says Collazo. “A library with engaging books in both English and Spanish is a great way to get our kids excited about bilingual reading and learning.”

Benjamin Kramer, Director of Education for KLRU-TV, echoes Ms. Collazo’s enthusiasm. “When centers like Sí Se Puede and initiatives like the Library Corners come together, we create opportunities for young children to develop from their first days as bilingual speakers, readers, and writers, and as sophisticated readers and viewers of television and other media.” Kramer added, “Multilingual literacy and smart viewing practices are great attributes to have, but of course, they need to be nurtured. Here is a shining example of just that.”

Children and parents will be able to spend time together at the library during the center’s “Mommy and Me” time, as well as check out materials to take home. Reading while relaxing on the inviting cushions, surrounded by Dr. Seuss and The Hungry Caterpillar decor, will also serve as an incentive for students to record the number of minutes they spend reading at home. By incorporating the enjoyment of reading into every-day learning, Sí Se Puede hopes to engage young minds in discovering their potential, reaching their goals, and imagining future possibilities.

KLRU & Foundation Communities partner for literacy project

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KLRU is participating in the national PBS Kids Raising Reader Library Corner literacy project. The first of the station’s KLRU Library Corners opened March 30 at the Sierra Ridge Learning Center at Foundation Communities.

PBS Kids Raising Readers Library Corner project takes resources and activities that are research-based to give children and parents the opportunity to strengthen literacy skills through fun, engaging multi-media platforms. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and kids can all use these resources. The corner is a small, colorful space where kids can feel free to play games on a computer, read a book, or watch an educational and interactive literacy skill-building DVD. The Library Corners also feature characters from favorite books and PBS KIDS programs. All activities – including self-directed worksheets, online videos, parent-led activities, and more – are based on an existing literacy framework that has its foundation in the National Reading Panel recommendations, encompassing skills such as letter recognition, print awareness, and vocabulary instruction.

Founded in 1989, Foundation Communities is a  nationally-recognized organization that empowers low-to-moderate-income families and individuals to succeed.  Their programs include quality, affordable housing, tools to increase educational and economic standing and supportive services for homeless families and individuals. Find out more at foundcom.org

In addition to the Sierra Ridge Learning Center at Foundation Communities, KLRU will host two more Library Corners scheduled to open later this year.

KLRU joins Wooten Elementary at Appreciation Luncheon

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Wooten Elementary School recently honored the efforts of community sponsors and volunteers at its annual appreciation luncheon. L-R: Russell Bridges, 3M Foundation’s Government & Community Affairs Manager; Nancy Pearsall, KLRU’s Grant Writer; Mary Alice Appleman, KLRU’s Assistant Director of Educational Services; Bernardo Martinez, Wooten Elementary’s Parent Support Specialist.

November 2010: NOVA "Dogs Decoded"

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Dr. Lyudmila Trut - NOVAEach month, KLRU chooses a program for your family to enjoy together. This month’s Family Choice program is
NOVA “Dogs Decoded
Tuesday, November 9th at 7 p.m.

Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family, and we feel that they can understand us in a way other animals cannot. Now, new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. What is surprising, however, is new research showing that humans, in turn, respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs, so closely related to fearsome wild wolves, behave so differently? It’s all in the genes. Dogs Decoded investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs—with revealing implications for the evolution of human culture as well. NOVA also travels to Siberia, where the mystery of dogs’ domestication is being repeated—in foxes. A 50-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature, a tame fox with some surprising similarities to man’s best friend. “Dogs Decoded” reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs and spurs new questions about what this could mean for our relationships with other animal species.

Repeats:
1 & 4 a.m., Wednesday, November 10
3 a.m. & 6 p.m., Sunday, November 14

WordGirl's Season Premiere

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Word Girl and her sidekick HuggyA STUPENDOUS new season of WordGirl kicks off with the back-to-school special episode “Bummertime/The Home Run King,” premiering Monday, August 23rd at 3:30pm on KLRU.
(repeats: Tuesday, September 7 at 3:30pm)

Becky just wants to read a book on the last day of summer but Tobey and his latest robot creation are AGGRAVATING her. Can WordGirl figure out how to stop crime and PROLONG her last day of vacation?

Then, when TJ foils a crime during his baseball game with an EXTRAORDINARY home run, he becomes “the Home Run King,” the city’s latest superhero. FORTUNATELY, WordGirl steps in to save the day when he gets in over his head fighting real crimes.

Six new episodes will broadcast throughout the fall beginning September 13th.

Dinosaur Train Under the Sea

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Dinosaur Train Under the SeaClimb aboard for a 1-hour Underwater Adventure special!

Premieres Friday, August 20th,  9:30-10:30am

Climb aboard as Buddy and the entire Pteranodon family board the DINOSAUR TRAIN to embark on their first underwater adventure in the new one-hour special “Dinosaur Train Under the Sea,” airing Friday, August 20 on KLRU. The Pteranodon family learns about new aquatic creatures when they ride the train through a glass-encased time tunnel that dives down under the sea to explore the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic oceans. The train also features the new Aquacar, and open car filled with sea water for carrying their new friends.

Meet Our New Underwater Friends!

Elmer Elasmosaurus: The Dinosaur Train’s new Aquacar gets its first passenger when the Pteranodon family helps transport Elmer back to his home in the ocean.  This long-necked, giant marine reptile is a deep-sea diver with a special talent for holding his breath.

Carla Cretoxyrhina: On their underwater excursion, the Pteranodon family meets up with a young shark named Carla Cretoxyrhina, who turns out to be much nicer than her reputation suggests.

The Amazing Michelinoceras Brothers: Buddy and his family continue their underwater adventure by traveling deep underwater on the Dinosaur Train to view two backwards-bounding brothers named Max and Mitch Michelinoceras.

Paulie Pliosaurus: The Pteranodon family wrap up  their  Dinosaur Train underwater exploration with a visit to a marine reptile called  Paulie Pliosaurus, a creature known as the “T. rex of the Ocean.”

There’s great reproducible activity sheet for children and a step-by-step instruction sheet for parents and caregivers on conducting a watery science learning activity with kids. Dinosaur Train colorful hypothesis