Skip to main content
       
Filer image

WUCF's America250 initiative is a three-year project celebrating the founding of our nation 250 years ago. Through new local and national content, community events, and educational programs, we explore themes of civic engagement, history, and unity. This initiative connects Central Floridians of all ages and backgrounds to our shared past while inspiring active participation in shaping our future.

WUCF’s America250 initiative is supported in part by the Ginsburg Family Foundation.

WUCF CoLab

The CoLab (or Community Laboratory) is an informal group of Central Florida's community leaders, partners, and supporters. Our goal is to shape the future of our community by sharing ideas, opportunities, and resources that promote unity, civil discourse, and civic engagement. 

NEWSNIGHT

NewsNightSpecial Election Set to Fill Regina Hill’s Council Seat

A May election is set to fill the seat of suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill.

NewsNightWinter Park’s Mayor-Elect Discusses her Vision for the City

Winter Park’s mayor-elect discusses issues facing the city, from leaf blowers to transit.

NewsNightFlorida Evacuates U.S. Citizens From Haiti

Central Florida’s congressional delegation pushes for U.S. federal action on Haiti.

FEATURED PROGRAMS

  • Grid image
  • Grid image
  • Grid image
  • Grid image
  • Grid image
  • Grid image

PODCASTS

This week we take a deep dive into Florida’s political waters with Steve Mort and Krystel Knowles of NewsNight on Central Florida PBS. We talk contentious counties, redistricting woes, restoring voting rights for felons, and Governor Ron DeSantis’ policies and presidential ambitions. But first, a look at the latest election legislation news nationwide with Voting Rights lab’s Liz Avore.

How does someone with more than five decades of political reporting under her belt assess the current state of the union? For the past year, former PBS NewsHour anchor and current senior correspondent Judy Woodruff has been touring the country for a new project, America at a Crossroads, reporting on the divisions that plague our nation. Kara speaks with Woodruff about the roles that both politicians and the media play in our growing polarization, whether journalists can be “truthful, not neutral” (as CNN’s Christiane Amanpour has said) and what recent media consolidations (and proposed cuts to public broadcasting) mean for our democracy.

PBS KIDS CONTENT

PBS KIDSCity Island | Point of View | PBS KIDS

Watt, Windy, Lidia, and Mark all disagree about a mysterious event they witness, and come to understand that there can be different perspectives of the same event and all can be valid. #PBSKIDS #CityIsland #Understanding #Kindness 

Watch and play more videos and games at https://pbskids.org or download the *FREE* PBS KIDS Video and Games app at https://pbskids.org/apps/

Talking with Young Kids About Elections, Democracy and Civic Engagement 
1 / 9 Videos
City Island | Point of View | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
City Island | Point of View | PBS KIDS
City Island Sings! | Let's Vote | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
City Island Sings! | Let's Vote | PBS KIDS
Xavier Riddle | Yadina Wants to Be President | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
Xavier Riddle | Yadina Wants to Be President | PBS KIDS
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum | I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum | I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg | PBS KIDS
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Movie | Yadina is Madam President! | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Movie | Yadina is Madam President! | PBS KIDS
Arthur | Get Out the Vote! | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
Arthur | Get Out the Vote! | PBS KIDS
DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD | Queen Sara Explains Voting | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD | Queen Sara Explains Voting | PBS KIDS
DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD | In the Neighborhood Voting Booth | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD | In the Neighborhood Voting Booth | PBS KIDS
PEG + CAT | Chickens at the White House | PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
PEG + CAT | Chickens at the White House | PBS KIDS

AMERICA250 RESOURCES

The Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government  at the University of Central Florida houses the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship and is a leading provider of civic education instructional and professional development resources in Florida. They work to help strengthen the civic education capacity of Florida’s K-12 education system through research, policy analysis, and advocacy. Learn more.

The Pledge Central Florida  is a call to action for residents of Central Florida who are tired of hateful discourse and want to create a safe and inclusive community for all. The pledge asks residents to commit to treating all people with kindness and respect, especially those with whom they disagree. Learn more.

Jazz and the American Spirit  with Jeff Rupert is a weekly radio show on 89.9 Jazz & More, examining the great stories of Jazz across America and the people who create it. 

Meet The Helpers features two new Helpers in 2024 that support democracy and make information available for everyone: American Sign Language Interpreter and a Public Service Worker. The new Helpers segments are airing on WUCF TV and are available to stream here.

Orlando Shakes  premieres What the Constitution Means to Me from October 2 through October 13. Follow playwright Heidi Schreck’s journey through the complexities of American democracy, gender equality, and the evolving interpretation of the United States Constitution.

University of Central Florida Civil Discourse and Engagement hosts various Public Policy Events throughout the year. Learn more.

University of Central Florida Government and Community Relations provides resources and information on the six amendments on the ballot this election cycle and is an early voting location. Learn more.

PBS LearningMedia Civics Collections empowers student citizens by teaching civic knowledge and understanding through applied examples from U.S. history and skills such as analyzing civic engagement and engaging in civil discourse. Focusing on multiple perspectives and diverse stories, these resources enable all students to see themselves as civic actors and prepare them to engage in civic political life. Learn more.

WUCF and VyStar Book Drive will begin in November 2024 and will culminate the week of January 22, 2025 during national literacy week with a Book Bash family event. This opportunity aims to inspire our community to support their neighbors through acts of kindness and support for early childhood education. Books can be dropped off to any Central Florida VyStar Credit Union location from November 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024.

Global Peace Film Festival will take place September 17-21, 2024 and aims to illuminate minds and spark conversation. Learn more.

AMERICA THREE-YEAR PLAN

2024 - Year One

  • Spotlight on ASL interpreters and government officials through WUCF's Meet The Helpers segments.
  • WUCF education teams offered a PBS Kids voting activity where attendees can vote on their favorite PBS Kids movie, character, and series. Winning movie will air on WUCF TV on Friday, September 27 at 9 a.m. and Noon.
  • NewsNight will host NewsNight Conversations: Election 2024 on October 2, 2024. Register to attend here.
  • Collaboration with UCF Film Studies around a documentary focused on first-time student voters, expected release is 2025.
  • Collaboration with NewsNight for informative interstitials and town hall discussions.
  • Collaboration with UCF Nicholson School of Communications and Media around election-related videos and a series focused on pathways to citizenship.
  • Through our work with NewsNight, continued partnership with WNET's Preserving Democracy project.
  • WUCF and VyStar Book Drive launches in November, offering citizens an opportunity to support kindness by donating books to our region's youngest learners.


2025 - Year Two

  • Kindness Campaign kicks off, celebrating a generational opportunity to serve and show kindness within our community through service, kind words, art expression, supportive content, and community collaboration with a goal to create a positive impact.
  • WUCF and VyStar Book Drive culminates in January during national literacy week with a Book Bash family event where we aim to inspire viewers and listeners to participate in their communities through acts of kindness and support for early childhood education.
  • Florida Road Trip showcases historical sites in Florida in Season 11, highlighting Florida's history within America's 250 years. This series is aired statewide.
  • Collect and share local stories through video content and engagement events. An example of this is The Moore Project.
  • Arts in Action Civic Engagement content project, funded through the PBS Civics grant.
  • Promote volunteering and service initiatives through new Meet The Helpers segment and engagement opportunities.
  • Produce special radio and podcast episodes centered around WUCF 89.9 FM program, Jazz and the American Spirit.

 

2026 - Year Three

  • Florida Road Trip continues highlighting Florida's historical significance within the broader context of America250.
  • NewsNightwill produce a series of special digital content offerings highlighting Florida's unique contributions to America250.
  • Collaboration with PBS Kids and Fred Rogers Productions for themed family days, picnics, and mascot appearances.
  • Celebrating the founding of our nation 250 years ago, here in Central Florida.