“Around here we don’t look backwards for very long.. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors’ and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – – Walt Disney on curiosity and progress.
This quote is quite relevant to the work being accomplished by our next FFCSD Alumni Series featured candidate Jenny Buccos. An FFCS Class of 1994 graduate, she has continued to evolve and create a vision that many staff and students might remember with her connection to ProjectExplorer. She was the creator of that platform which shared learning opportunities, while providing access to informative videos about our world, and those that encompass it.
Ms. Buccos is now embarking on a new and exciting project aimed at delivering quality content and engagement for today’s students. Think of it as Netflix specifically designed for students K through 12. According to its website, EXPLR Home is an ad-free, subscription streaming service from EXPLR Media for original and carefully-curated educational video for tweens and teens. The new platform provides relevant, relatable, and real-world content that empowers young people to become global agents of change.
She is currently working on exciting video content that touches upon sustainability and building storytelling through a different lens, while highlighting the world around us – both regionally and globally. You can access this subscription-based platform here. Currently balancing her living arrangements between Europe and Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Buccos is excited to share some of the new projects she’s working on to connect with students, teachers and communities across the globe.
How did you design this type of project and how has it changed students’ experiences inside the classroom?
The idea for an online travel series for students began brewing in early 2003. (This was before the existence of YouTube and online video was not yet mainstream.) In 2006, my first educational video series debuted, providing virtual passports to students and learners across the country and around the globe. 20 years and more than 500 episodes later and I’ve launched EXPLR which is a bit like Netflix for Education. EXPLR covers most subject areas: Science, Math, Social Studies, Social-Emotional Learning, Career Exploration and more!
Engaging TV for kids can shape an entire generation. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Sesame Street, and The Electric Company have been transformative. So, I teamed up with Andrew Zimmern (Travel Channel) and Kari Byron (Mythbusters) and we set out to completely transform educational TV for tweens and teens. We launched in September 2021, and teachers have told us that EXPLR videos have increased student participation and engagement.
What was your main goal in delivering this type of project? Have you succeeded?
Kids need to see themselves reflected in the media. One-third of tweens don’t think there are enough programs that feature people that look like them. Everyday my team and I work to change this with the stories we tell.
Why the switch from Project Explorer to the subscription-based EXPLR?
Teachers kept asking for more and more episodes and lessons. It wasn’t sustainable as a non-profit model. By switching to a low-cost subscription model ($399 per class) we are able to improve the student and teacher experience by providing apps for tablets and smartphones, adding multiple languages for English Language Learners,, and providing assistive technology for Blind/Low vision and Hard of Hearing and Deaf students. We’re also able to ensure a steady stream of content and curriculum.
What type of feedback are you receiving from schools’, students and teachers?
“EXPLR stories are embedded with skills to build empathy, acceptance, understanding and all of the things sorely lacking in our schools today. It gives teachers a fun and exciting way to begin conversations that kids can take home and continue with parents.” Lisa, Special Education Teacher – Minnesota
How did you transfer your skill sets from high school into what you are accomplishing today?
I had several teachers who encouraged and guided my curiosity! Curious individuals seek out knowledge. They think, they tinker, and they try to figure things out for themselves. This has enabled me to build two organizations and makes me the storyteller I am today.
Finally, what impact are you having with today’s generation of students?
I believe that my work with EXPLR is helping students realize that they are already change-makers, allies, advocates, activists, and innovators. I hope that my work will spark conversations in class and at home and encourage young people to change their world for the better.