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WUCF's America 250 Project

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. 

Meet the Helpers

Meet The Helpers: WUCF announces new Helpers, supporting the America250 initiative including an American Sign Language interpreter promoting positive civic engagement, and a Public Service Worker talking about the voting process.

Featured Programs

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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.

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.

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.