‘Working Class’ Series Offers New Art Challenge, TV Marathon

Calling all budding artists and scientists! Pennsylvania College of Technology and WVIA Public Media, producers of the “Working Class” public television series, are seeking entries in its latest K-12 art challenge, “Why Science Matters.”

Deadline for entries is Dec. 1. The challenge invites student artists to depict the importance of science in everyday life and offers awards in two categories: kindergarten-sixth grade and grades seven-12. Students may use any medium and supplies they choose.

Entries will be accepted via email, with a digital photo (jpeg file) of the original artwork attached. A separate email is required for each entry and must include the following information: challenge title (“Why Science Matters”); artist’s name; teacher/parent name and email address; grade; school (or homeschool); city and state; and entry category (Student in Grades K-Six or Student in Grades Seven-12).

The “Working Class” website features images from past K-12 art challenges.

A chosen artist in each category will receive a basket of books and supplies related to the art challenge. Email entries and questions to Elaine Lambert, executive producer of “Working Class.”

Inspiration for the “Why Science Matters” art challenge comes from the most recent release in the “Working Class” documentary series: “Working Class: Competition Drives Innovation! Why Science Matters,” which premiered over the summer.

Among the highlights of “Working Class: Competition Drives Innovation! Why Science Matters” are interviews with K-12 students and teachers at Warrior Run Middle School and Bloomsburg Area High School, participants in regional Rage in the Cage robot competitions, as well as K-12 students participating in SMART (Science & Math Applications in Real-World Technologies) Girls events at Penn College.

WVIA Public Media plans to broadcast a back-to-school marathon featuring four episodes of the Telly Award-winning “Working Class” series in October.

The marathon begins on Sunday, Oct. 7, when WVIA-TV will air “Working Class: Dream and Do,” “Working Class: Build and Grow Green,” “Working Class: Game On! Why Math Matters” and “Working Class: Competition Drives Innovation! Why Science Matters.”

With one exception, each Thursday in October, beginning at 8 p.m., WVIA will rebroadcast one of the four episodes. The Oct. 18 broadcast of “Working Class: Game On! Why Math Matters” will begin at 9 p.m.

“Working Class: Dream and Do,” “Working Class: Build and Grow Green” and “Working Class: Game On! Why Math Matters” all have earned Telly Awards for excellence. A new release is expected later this fall.

Full video versions of the documentaries are available through WVIA On-Demand, YouTube and the series website. The website also offers short video clips related to topics explored in the episode, as well as a blog written by the executive producer, and educator resources to help teachers and homeschooling parents incorporate the films into their classes.

More details about the “Working Class” TV series are available via the website, Facebook and Twitter.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call 800-367-9222.