MLC LABS: Our Media-Making Hub

Michigan Learning Channel LABS (Learning and Building Statewide) is a digital resource hub for Michigan educators to Learn and Build Statewide with support from the Michigan Learning Channel team. Here, you’ll find everything you need to bring media creation to your classroom, school, camp, and more. Our turn-key media projects include instructions for educators and students to use digital storytelling as part of any subject. We even offer media making kits with everything you need to bring your documentary, podcast, or 360-degree experience to life.

LABS Learning Projects

We periodically issue new projects with prompts that give students an active role in creating and analyzing media. Teach journalism and reporting skills with local interest and storytelling projects, learn about history with projects launched in tandem with major PBS series and documentaries, and learn what goes into making film and TV content with our video production challenges.

Iconic Michigan

Showcase icons in students’ communities through research, collaboration, and media making.

Book Review

We’re turning the traditional book report on its head and giving it a 21st century twist.

Bearing Witness

Create video segments that explore historical events and advocate for change.

Mental Health Awareness

Use media to explore mental health and learn about ways to handle stress.

Check Out a Media Making Kit

No library card needed! If you’ve got a vision for a media creation opportunity for your students, fill out a proposal and we’ll get in touch to see which kit is right for you. You can even brainstorm project ideas with our virtual co-teacher powered by SchoolAI.

A Virtual Educator Community

If you are excited about using public media in your classroom to engage, educate, and inspire, join our virtual community powered by Mighty Networks! You’ll be the first to hear about upcoming opportunities and you’ll have direct access to our statewide team of education and public media experts for support. Join our Mighty Network and start meeting like-minded educators.

Public Media in Education

LABS and the Michigan Learning Channel connect educators to media from across the country that you can integrate into your classrooms and programs. Learn more about some examples below.

PBS LearningMedia

Free, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for teachers and students.

KQED Youth Media Challenges

Middle and high school students create media for a variety of subjects.

PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs

High school students learn local reporting, video production, and civic engagement

StoryMaker

 StoryMaker is a powerful learning platform developed by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs to build the next generation of media creators.

What is Public Media?

Public media changes the way classrooms and students get access to high-quality educational materials. The Michigan Learning Channel has been providing free public media resources from PBS stations across the country for over a year, and we’ve heard from teachers across Michigan asking to be part of the movement. Learn more about public media on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting website.