PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 9, 2025) – Today, the National Constitution Center and PBS LearningMedia announced details for a forthcoming weeklong educator institute focused on the principles of the American Revolution. In this institute, 36 educators will view curriculum-aligned video clips from The American Revolution—a new six-part, 12-hour documentary series by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, premiering on PBS on November 16, 2025—and discuss how to introduce new ideas and perspectives, ask thought-provoking questions, and challenge their students to share their understanding through a range of extension activities.
“As we approach the nation’s semiquincentennial next year, we are thrilled to partner with PBS LearningMedia on this timely institute, pairing the powerful and moving storytelling of The American Revolution from Ken Burns and his team with the deep intellectual exploration of the principles of the American idea provided by the National Constitution Center,” said NCC Vice President of Civic Education Julie Silverbrook. “Teachers will leave this program feeling fully empowered to meaningfully educate their students for the nation’s 250th and well beyond.”
“PBS LearningMedia is proud to join forces with the National Constitution Center to connect teachers to Ken Burns’s new film, The American Revolution,” said Lori Brittain, Vice-President of PBS LearningMedia. “Video is a powerful tool and this film will transport students back in time—bringing the sights, sounds, and stories of the Revolutionary era to life—helping to spark inquiry and enrich both teachers’ and students’ understanding of this pivotal moment in our history.”
Beginning Sunday, July 20, through Friday, July 25, 36 educators from 21 states will convene at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia to participate in the weeklong intensive workshop, “Principles of the American Revolution.” Members of the NCC Education team, alongside partners from PBS LearningMedia, will guide educators as they dive into the foundational principles that guided the trajectory of the American Revolution—including natural rights, popular sovereignty, and the rule of law—through scholar talks, primary source exploration, and the Center’s educational resources. In addition to getting a sneak peek at the forthcoming PBS documentary, The American Revolution, and participating in a media-making workshop onsite at WHYY, PBS’s Philadelphia member station, educators will also have the opportunity to explore the Center’s exhibition spaces and visit cultural institutions and historic sites around Old City Philadelphia, contemplating meaningful ways to bring those experiences back to the classroom.
Located steps from Independence Hall and Independence Mall, the “most historic square mile in America,” the National Constitution Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, and delivers educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution.
In addition to the institute, the National Constitution Center is partnering with PBS and PBS LearningMedia to create and disseminate resources to educators and communities across the country to engage audiences in the principles of the American Revolution, as part of The American Revolution documentary. Furthermore, this fall, the Center is hosting A More Perfect Union: Inspiring Civic & Civil Conversations Across America, a one-hour television special produced by WETA Washington, D.C. A More Perfect Union will examine how we think about America’s founding and how the ideas and values articulated 250 years ago remain relevant to conversations about governance today. The program will record live at the Center in September 2025, and feature The American Revolution director Ken Burns and others in conversation with co-hosts Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the Center, and Melody Barnes, Executive Director of the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy. The discussion will explore essential themes such as liberty, equality, democracy, separation of powers, and civil rights. The A More Perfect Union special will premiere on PBS on November 24, 2025, following the November 16-21, 2025, premiere of The American Revolution.
About PBS LearningMedia
PBS LearningMedia, a partnership between PBS and GBH, is a transformative digital media platform for PreK-12 educators, providing free access to thousands of media-centric classroom resources from PBS member stations and esteemed partners. PBS LearningMedia delivers a dynamic mix of national and locally relevant content—including videos, interactives, lesson plans, teaching tips, and primary sources— that elevates classroom teaching and brings learning to life. Designed with teachers and subject matter experts, classroom resources are aligned to state and national standards and are compatible with the tools teachers use most, such as Google Classroom. Learn more at pbslearningmedia.org or by following PBS Teachers on Facebook or Instagram.
About The American Revolution
The American Revolution is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Corporate funding for The American Revolution was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for The American Revolution was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. The American Revolution was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. More information about The American Revolution is available at pbs.org/americanrevolution.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
