---

Custom eLearning company d’Vinci Interactive partnered with PBS LearningMedia to bring the American Revolution to life through an interactive storytelling experience that will be included in PBS LearningMedia’s new Ken Burns in the Classroom Collection, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.  The classroom collection is drawn from the new six-part documentary series THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt.

Designed for upper elementary students (grades 3–5), the interactive learning experience invites young learners to step into the Revolutionary era through the perspective of a young girl, Betsy Ambler, who recounts her experiences in a series of personal letters.

Guided by the girl’s voice (read by actor Maya Hawke, who also voiced Betsy Ambler in the film), authentic sound design, film clips, and historical imagery, students get to engage with the human side of the Revolution — supporting the development of empathy, critical thinking, and connecting to the founding ideals of freedom, opportunity, and democracy.

“It’s an incredible honor to collaborate with PBS LearningMedia and contribute to such an important educational initiative,” said d’Vinci Lead Project Manager and Instructional Designer Christine Kurtz. “This project embodies what we’re passionate about—using storytelling, design, and technology to make history come alive for learners.”

“We believe this interactive will really resonate with young students,” said Lori Brittain, Vice President, PBS LearningMedia. “Experiencing the American Revolution through the eyes of someone their own age will help bring the story of our nation’s founding to life in a fresh new way.”

The film premiered on PBS on November 16, with classroom materials debuting on PBS LearningMedia in the weeks surrounding the broadcast.

For THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, PBS LearningMedia has developed its most robust initiative to date, thanks in part to a grant from the Kern Family Foundation, to expand classroom outreach around the film and the themes covered, in the lead up to the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The classroom resources, which were developed in consultation with educators from around the country and with leading scholars, including University of Virginia History Professor Emeritus Alan Taylor, and chief scholar at the National Constitution Center, Tom Donnelly, pose thought-provoking questions for students and introduce new ideas, perspectives, and primary sources about the Revolutionary era. Additional classroom resources focusing on George Washington’s life and leadership were co-created by PBS LearningMedia and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

The full collection of more than 35 free classroom resources for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION targets grades 3-12 and is available at PBS LearningMedia within the Ken Burns in the Classroom hub. The d’Vinci-designed student interactive experience launched in February 2026.

###

About d’Vinci: d’Vinci Interactive helps organizations bring learning to life for K–12 students. Our team designs and develops interactive lessons, games, and educational websites that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. We collaborate with educational publishers, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies to create digital experiences that align with standards, engage teachers and learners, and make a lasting impact in classrooms everywhere.

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 PBS LearningMedia or by following PBS Teachers on Facebook or Instagram. 

About The American Revolution:
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is streaming on all station-branded PBS platforms including PBS.org  and the PBS App, available on iOS, Android, Roku streaming devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO. The series will also be available to stream on PBS Passport  and the “PBS Documentaries Prime VideoChannel.” PBS station members can view the documentary via PBS Passport as part of a full collection of Ken Burns films. For more information about PBS Passport, visit the PBS Passport FAQ  website. 

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION will be distributed internationally by PBS International. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, Salimah El-Amin and Ken Burns. Edited by Tricia Reidy, Maya Mumma, Charles E. Horton, and Craig Mellish. Co-Produced by Megan Ruffe and Mike Welt. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Peter Coyote. The executive in charge for WETA was John F. Wilson (who passed away in November of 2024). Executive producer is Ken Burns. 

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.

Explore PBS LearningMedia’s Ken Burns in the Classroom THE AMERICAN REVOUTION Collection: