Updates from Rhode Island PBS Education Services
All Teachers and Learners Welcome!
Did you know that Rhode Island PBS Education Services provides content and resources to support teaching and learning for educators, students, parents, and learners of all ages in our community? This month is a great example of the variety of resources and opportunities that we have to offer. We hope you'll find something that appeals to you and forward this email to anyone else who loves to teach or learn!
-Rhode Island PBS Education Services
Rhode Island PBS Scholarship
Attention: High School Educators!

Our 2021 Rhode Island PBS Scholarship is now accepting applications

Each year, Rhode Island PBS awards this scholarship to a graduating high school senior planning to attend an accredited 4-year secondary school, or a student currently enrolled in a 4-year secondary institution, who demonstrates merit towards a successful career in broadcasting, communications, and/or journalism.

This student must be a resident of Rhode Island or Bristol County, Massachusetts. The award is up to $15,000 and is renewable for up to three years.

For full details on requirements and to apply, please go to the Rhode Island Foundation's scholarship page here. The deadline for applications is April 5, 2021, at 5:00 p.m (EST). Best of luck to all applicants!
Educational Resources
Celebrate Women's History Month
This month, and every month, we celebrate amazing women throughout history and today. We would like to share just one of the many examples of our resources featuring astounding women, specifically in STEM. Check out more resources on PBS LearningMedia to keep the conversation going throughout the entire school year:
When Something Scary Happens
Recently, there have been several events in the national news that are challenging to process and cause difficult emotions. You can find resources to help young children and students cope on the When Something Scary Happens page on pbskids.org.
Upcoming Events
Author Event with Jason Reynolds
Thursday, April 8, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Part of the 2021 Reading Across Rhode Island campaign, join us for the LIVE author event with Jason Reynolds, author of STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You, and current National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Open to all educators, students, librarians, book clubs, and more! Click on the button above to register.
Cyberchase: Green It Up Virtual Program
Cyberchase: Green It Up
Daily: Tuesday, April 20 - Friday, April 23, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
*Intended for Grades K-3*

Join us for Cyberchase: Green It Up! Inviting all students in grades K-3, this four-day virtual program will inspire a deep appreciation for nature, build STEM skills, and empower kids to take action in their communities. To be conducted through Zoom, Rhode Island PBS Education Services and Woonsocket Harris Public Library staff will conduct three activity modules and one "Big Finale" using free project kits and Cyberchase resources. Project kits will be available for pick-up at local libraries, which will include the necessary supplies to complete the activities, along with healthy snacks!

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to take advantage of the educational benefits of the outside world around us. Please feel free to share this information with students and families. Click on the button above to register!
Community Participation Opportunities
Students On-Air:
Kids Want to Know
What do YOUR students want to know? Rhode Island PBS is inviting K-12 students to submit their most pressing questions on a range of issues, to be answered by local experts. Featured on-air in our new broadcast newsmagazine Rhode Island PBS Weekly, Kids Want to Know gives students the opportunity to hear from experts in various fields of study.

If you would like to learn how your students can participate in future Kids Want to Know segments, send us an email at education@ripbs.org. Please include your name and school as well as your subject area/grade level focus. We hope to hear from you!
Request for Proposals:
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted all of our lives, and as a result there are many compelling stories to be told. Rhode Island PBS is asking for proposals from independent and student producers to develop and produce short films (3 – 5 minutes) on the subject of the COVID-19 pandemic. The subject may be a personal response or a community story that reflects on the pandemic from either a contemporary or historical perspective--creativity in format and concept is encouraged.

Limited funding is available to successful proposals. If interested, please review the full Request for Proposals (RFP) with application details at this link. Please note: deadline for submissions has been extended to April 9, 2021.
Student Art Competition:
The White House: An American Story
The White House Historical Association is hosting a national student art competition to celebrate its 60th Anniversary and the legacy of its founder, First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy, with the theme “The White House: An American Story.” WHHA seeks submissions from students across the country that depict and reflect the White House, its collection, and its diverse history – that of presidents and first families, enslaved workers, dedicated staff, and the American public.

The competition is open for submissions from February 1, 2021 to May 7, 2021 and will have three grade-level categories: grades K through 3, grades 4 through 8, and grades 9 through 12. Winners in each category will be chosen via a panel of three judges and will be announced in July as part of the Association’s annual celebration of Mrs. Kennedy’s birthday. Click here to learn more about the competition and how to enter.
Early Childhood Professional Development
"Sesame Street in Communities" Workshop Series

Presented by Rhode Island PBS, in collaboration with RI KIDS COUNT, Massachusetts Strategies for Children, and RI & MA SEIU Education and Support Fund, the Sesame Street in Communities workshop series provides caregivers, parents and educators with FREE tools and resources from Sesame Street to increase successful outcomes, both in school and in life, for children, primarily in rural communities both in RI and MA. The series consists of three sessions on different topics, and is being presented in English and Spanish. Our first two English sessions already took place, but please join us for the remaining one English session. or two Spanish sessions!

Please Note: Educators can earn up to 5 professional development hours approved by the Center for Early Learning Professionals.
The English session series concludes with Science on Thursday, April 8 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Kids are natural scientists. Whether indoors or on the go, exploring together and asking questions helps them learn about the world and how it works. Together we will learn about activities and resources that will help us engage children with Science and spark discovery.

If you missed the individual session dates, we will also be hosting a one-day workshop session on April 21 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. This workshop will cover all three session topics: Health Emergencies, Traumatic Experiences, and Science. Educators can earn up to 5 PD hours.

Please note: Caregivers, parents, and educators are all encouraged to join. The information we will be presenting may not be appropriate for younger children, so we strongly advise adult participation only. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to working with you! You can register for these workshops here.
Serie de Talleres de Sesame Street en las Comunidades

¡Estamos encantados de anunciar nuestra serie de talleres De Sesame Street en las Comunidades! Presentado por Rhode Island PBS, en colaboración con RI Kids Count, Massachusetts Strategies for Children y Rhode Island & Massachusetts SEIU Education and Support Fund, esta serie de talleres se centra en proporcionar a los cuidadores, padres y educadores herramientas y recursos GRATUITOS de Sesame Street para aumentar los resultados exitosos para los niños, tanto en la escuela como en la vida, principalmente en las comunidades rurales tanto en Rhode Island como en Massachusetts.
 
Estamos ofreciendo una serie de tres talleres diferentes, con cada sesión obtendrá acceso a una variedad de recursos que los cuidadores, padres y proveedores de la comunidad pueden utilizar para apoyar el desarrollo de los niños. El taller se presentará tanto en inglés como en español.

Por favor Note: Los educadores pueden obtener hasta 5 horas de desarrollo profesional aprobadas por el Centro para profesionales de la primera infancia.
 
Esta serie comenzó con la primera sesión que se llevo a cabo el día 25 de febrero del 2021, y continuara con las ultimas dos sesiones en español que tendrán lugar los jueves, de 6:00 a 7:00 p.m. a través de Zoom en las siguientes fechas:
 
  • 25 de marzo: Experiencias traumáticas: Cuando un niño sufre una experiencia traumática, toda la familia siente el impacto. Pero los adultos tienen el poder de ayudar a disminuir sus efectos. Aprenderemos a dar vida a esos factores.
  • 22 de abril: Ciencia: Los niños son científicos naturales. Ya sea en interiores, o sobre la marcha, explorar juntos y hacer preguntas les ayuda a aprender sobre el mundo y cómo funciona. Juntos aprenderemos acerca de las actividades y recursos que nos ayudarán a involucrar a los niños con la Ciencia y provocar el descubrimiento.

Si no pudo asistir a las sesiones individuales, también tendremos un taller de un día el 15 de abril de 6:00 a 9:00 p.m. Este taller cubrirá los tres temas de la sesión: emergencias de salud, experiencias traumáticas y ciencia. Los educadores pueden obtener hasta 5 horas de desarrollo profesional.

Tenga en cuenta: Se anima a los cuidadores, padres y educadores a unirse. La información que presentaremos puede no ser apropiada para niños más pequeños, por lo que recomendamos la participación de adultos únicamente. Gracias por su comprensión y esperamos trabajar con usted.Se alienta a los cuidadores, padres y educadores a unirse. Puede inscribirse en el taller aquí.
Elinor Wonders Why:
Teaching Strategies for Exploring STEM with Young Children
Dates to be announced.

Elinor is back! The Elinor Wonders Why: Teaching Strategies for Exploring STEM with Young Children workshop series promotes science inquiry and the engineering and design process through hands-on experiences for children ages 3-5. We will model how learning can be fostered by encouraging children to follow their curiosity and ask questions to understand the world around them, using varied methods of instruction, including multi-media STEM content that is based on Elinor Wonders Why.

Please note: Participating educators can earn up to 13 professional development hours approved by the Center for Early Learning Professionals. For more information, please contact Mayra Monterroso, Coordinator of Family Literacy.
Please help us get the word out by forwarding this e-newsletter to a colleague!
Did you receive this from a friend? If so, click below to sign up for this free monthly
e-Newsletter from Rhode Island PBS Education Services.