Curiosity Curators: Keystone Curious
WITF/Pennon Education is proud to collaborate with educators on opportunities that elevate and amplify student voices through meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
One example is Curiosity Curators: Keystone Curious, part of Pennon Education’s Youth Voice initiative. Designed to strengthen students’ skills as researchers, storytellers, and critical thinkers, the program engages students in inquiry-based learning centered on curiosity, research, and storytelling.
In this project, elementary and high school students collaborated to explore questions connected to America250, celebrating what makes Pennsylvania unique through a student perspective. Working alongside their teachers and Pennon Education staff, students developed their ideas into a collaborative podcast episode.
Completed podcasts are showcased through special listening events and published by WITF/Pennon Education, providing an authentic audience for student work and demonstrating the power of youth perspectives in education.
Programs like Curiosity Curators offer educators a unique opportunity to partner with WITF/Pennon Education to create engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences that amplify student voice and connect classroom learning to the wider community.
Listen to the Podcast!
Hear the deep dives on Pennsylvania history from the creators who made them. You can also find this podcast and other Youth Voice content on Pennon Education’s YouTube Channel.
Black Gold
Host Stella is joined by student historian Brentley to answer an important question from industrial history: Why was coal called “black gold”?
A Turning Point in the War
Host Gary is joined by student historian Jackson to look beyond the fighting and ask an important question: What happened after the Battle of Gettysburg?
A Very Cold Winter at Valley Forge
Host Erin is joined by student historian Axel to explore the terrifying winter endured by soldiers at Valley Forge and answer key questions: What caused the suffering, how many fought, and how many died?
Amish Life
Host Hailey talks with student historian Brinley to answer an intriguing question: Why do the Amish still use horse-drawn buggies for transportation?
Franklin’s Kite Experiment
Host Aly is joined by student historian Nicholas to answer a famous science question: Why did Benjamin Franklin fly a kite during a thunderstorm?
Pickett’s Charge
Host Zoe is joined by student historian Rebecca to answer an important Civil War question: What was Pickett’s Charge?
Pittsburgh and Steel
Host Jocelyn Shut is joined by student historian Liam to answer a big question: Why was Pittsburgh once known as the steel capital of the world?
Secret Messages and Spies
Host Molly is joined by student historian Vaughn to uncover the clever and dangerous world of Revolutionary War spies—and answer the question: How did spies hide messages without getting caught?
The Battle of Gettysburg
Host Sarah Clouser is joined by student historian Levi to explore the Civil War and what happened during one of its most important moments: the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Colony that Grew the Food
Host Alina is joined by student historian Lyla to answer an important question: Why did other colonies depend on Pennsylvania for food?
The Cracked Symbol of Freedom
Host Leah is joined by student historian Faith to answer a famous question: Why is the Liberty Bell cracked?
The First Oil Well
Host Olivia is joined by student historian Xander to answer a groundbreaking question: Why did someone drill straight down to look for oil?
The First Smiley Face
Host Izzy is joined by student historian Brady to uncover the surprising Pennsylvania connection behind something we use every day: the smiley face.
The Jeep
Host Abby talks with fourth grade student historian Bella to answer an important question from World War II: Why did the U.S. Army need a vehicle that could go anywhere?
The Oil Boom
Host Haylee sits down with student historian Asher to investigate the Pennsylvania oil boom and answer a big question: Why did oil suddenly make some Pennsylvania towns rich?
The Slinky Story
Host Kara is joined by student historian Peyton to uncover the surprising history of the Slinky—one of America’s most iconic toys.
The Town Built on Chocolate
Host Lucy talks with student historian Noelle to uncover the story of Milton Hershey and answer a sweet question: Why is there a town named after chocolate?
Towns Along the Railroad
Host Addi is joined by student historian Isaac to answer a big question: Why did towns pop up wherever railroads stopped?
Washington’s Smart Choice
host Emma talks with student historian Glenn about George Washington’s Army at Valley Forge and how it endured disease, death, and brutal winter conditions during 1777–1778.
Why Armies Rested in Winter
Host Jacque is joined by student historian Kloe to uncover why armies stopped moving during the winter in the 1700s, with a focus on the harsh conditions at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Why Philadelphia Mattered
Host Sophia talks with student historian Layla about why the British occupied Philadelphia in 1777, and how that decision shaped the future of the nation.