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PRX, PBS KIDS, and CPB have announced the Ready To Learn Podcast Accelerator, a podcast training and development program for producers creating educational content for kids. One podcast from the training will be distributed by PBS KIDS. The program is made possible by a Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The Ready To Learn Podcast Accelerator will take place virtually over 16 weeks, from late May through September 2021, and will welcome five production teams interested in developing educational audio programming for kids ages 4-8. Through a 16-week training curriculum developed by PRX and PBS KIDS, producers will be guided to develop engaging podcasts for kids.
The 16 weeks of training will include workshops, webinars and sessions focusing on concept development, audience and community engagement, production values, and more and $10,000 in funding to assist with production and operational expenses, as well as reimbursement for travel-related expenses.
Participants in the accelerator program may also have their pilot podcasts selected for distribution on PBS KIDS digital platforms. Following the training period, PBS KIDS plans to commission more content from one of the participating podcast teams.
Applications are now open. Content may be submitted in any genre, fiction or nonfiction, but must be guided by a framework of introducing children ages 4-8 and their families or caregivers to the world of work. This includes exposure to a variety of career and job options as well as the development of the social and emotional (SEL) and executive function, including self-awareness, social awareness, goal-setting, task persistence, and flexible thinking.
The submission window is open through Friday, March 19. Visit the program website here and explore FAQs here.