WTCI is sharing free resources, including digital videos and a suite of graphics, printable, and animated lessons to prepare for experiencing and understanding the solar eclipse on Aug. 21.
New and renewing Kids Club members will also receive a family pack of NOVA solar eclipse glasses, free admission to the WTCI Kids Day Aug. 27 at Lake Winnie, and a prize pack of tickets to area attractions and PBS KIDS treats, books, and games. Kids Club members see their names scroll on-air during their birthday month and receive special opportunities throughout the year.
"PBS is America’s largest classroom and education is at the core of WTCI’s mission in the Tennessee Valley. WTCI works to ensure that educators, students and families have access online to the 140,000 free digital assets available through PBSKIDS and PBSLearningMedia," officials said.
WTCI is one of ten community PBS stations who have been invited to share footage of local events with NOVA for Eclipse over America. Airing at 9 p.m. next Monday, NOVA’s Eclipse over America will investigate the storied history of solar eclipse science and join both seasoned and citizen-scientists alike as they don their eclipse glasses and tune their telescopes for the Eclipse over America. In conjunction with the broadcast, NOVA has engaged PBS stations nationwide, including WTCI, to capture their communities experiencing this incredible event.
Shaun Townley, VP of Digital Strategy and Content, says “I'm pleased that the NOVA team is engaging local stations to create the definitive program on this once-in-a-lifetime event. I can’t wait to show viewers what our team will contribute to the project.”
WTCI invites viewers to share images from their celebrations throughout the day on the station’s social media sites and to tune in at 9 p.m. for this special NOVA program.
While only some of the 35 counties in WTCI’s reach are 100 percent in the path of eclipse viewing, all of the station’s viewers can access these resources and this innovative program.
PBSLearningMedia accounts are free and open the door to over 140,000 digital learning resources for grades K-12 in every subject category. For more education resources, visit http://wtcitv.org/education/education-resources/. For membership information and reservations please contact Lisa McDowd at 423-702-7819 or email at lmcdowd@wtciTV.org.