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d’Vinci Interactive’s immersive learning experience for PBS LearningMedia’s Ken Burns in the Classroom collection, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, has received a Silver 2026 W3 Award in the General Websites: Children & Youth category.

Designed for students in grades 3–5, the interactive invites learners to explore the American Revolution through the experiences of Betsy Ambler, a young girl who lived through the era. Through personal letters, historical imagery, film clips, authentic sound design, and narration by actor Maya Hawke, the experience encourages students to connect personally with history while developing empathy and critical-thinking skills.

The interactive is part of PBS LearningMedia’s collection of more than 35 free classroom resources supporting THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, the six-part documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. It launched in February 2026 as educators prepared to explore the nation’s founding in the lead-up to the United States’ 250th anniversary.

View “The Experiences of a Young Girl During the American Revolution: Betsy Ambler.”

 

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 is 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