Skip Maine state header navigation

Agencies | Online Services | Help

Skip First Level Navigation | Skip All Navigation

Home > For Libraries > Learning & Technology > Ed. Video Library > Current Issues Videos

Current Issues Videos

Bullying: What to Do About It

60 min; 7-12; Communication, Current Issues, Guidance, H uman Rights; Produced by: Maine Public Television (2000)

Explores who is at risk to be a bully, or to be a bully's victim. Viewers will discuss how the seeds of this problem can occur in preschool or even earlier, and learn how some students - from the Attorney General's Civil Rights Team Project and other innovative programs - are leading the movement to rid Maine 's schools of bullying. The program also features a panel of experts and students, along with a mini-documentary, with information and resources on how to cope with this growing problem.

Family After Divorce: Restoring Family Fabric

60 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, Guidance, H ealth; Produced by: A Center for the Awareness of Pattern (1992)

The program demonstrates how families, instead of "breaking" after divorce can expand, and how families who have "broken" in the past can restore their family fabric for the well-being of the children and adults alike.

Friendship, Maine : A Case Study

6 min.; 7-12; Current Issues, Environment, H ealth, Maine Studies; Produced by: Media Source (1986)

Looks at an environmental disaster shaping up in one of Maine 's prettiest coastal villages. The community is Friendship and the nightmare is the pollution of the water supply due to leaking underground gas tanks.

Live or Learn

30 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, Guidance, H uman Rights; Produced by: Maine Public Broadcasting (30 min.)

Provides some perspective on the needs and realities of homeless teenagers, as related to the society which has produced them. Through talking to the teens directly, to the staff of two centers which attempt to meet their needs, to their teachers, and to public agency officials attempting to address the legal mandates of education, the producers find no ultimate answers or solutions: but rather call attention to an increasingly widespread and complex problem.

Road Diaries

4 programs - 60 min. each; 9-12; Current Issues, Geography, Maine Studies, Social Studies; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

  1. 101 Western Maine - The six dedicated Road Diaries explorers begin their journey by trekking across the five counties of Western Maine in four days, or more than 40% of the state of Maine! From the Bates Mill complex in Lewiston, to Black Mountain in Rumford, to dogsledding on Moosehead Lake in Greenville, the Road Diaries bus troop sets out to discover not only what makes Western Maine unique, but also what connects this region to the rest of the state.
  2. 102 Southern Maine - From the challenges of urban sprawl to island life on Great Chebeague, the Road Diaries participants embark on a trip to discover not only the attributes of Southern Maine, but also how this region is tied to the rest of the state. Southern Maine is often stereotyped as an extension of Massachusetts, rather than being an authentic part of Maine. Our group explores this generalization, and draws conclusions for themselves about how the character and economy of this southern region fits into the larger picture of the State of Maine.
  3. 103 Eastern Maine - As the Road Diaries bus travels Down East in search of Maine's interconnectedness, local perception of two Maines appears to be alive and well. Residents of Washington and H ancock counties have a distinct perception that they are from the other Maine. Recently over three hundred Maine jobs were terminated, almost half of which were within Washington County. During the August Down East trip, the group will have the chance to come up with an opinion of their own regarding this topical issue by witnessing first hand the remote, sparsely settled north coast.
  4. Northern Maine - This area of Maine, more than any other, was unknown to most of the group. A fact that holds true for many living in the state. Maine's northernmost county is the largest county east of the Mississippi River. The total area encompassed by Aroostook is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined. While its enormity is a great source for trivia, size also provides a challenge to its largely rural population making ti more expensive to deliver goods and services to the people of Aroostook. The Road Diaries travelers set off to find out why jobs are not as easy to come by here as they are in southern Maine. Find out what we learned when Road Diaries visits Aroostook county.

Route '02: An Election 2002 Special

30 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, Government; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

Don Carrigan climbs into his truck and travels to five communities in different parts of Maine to meet local people who are coping with changes and facing challenges. He hears their stories and explores how the local issues relate to what's happening in other parts of Maine. Carrigan travels to the town of Dayton, Belfast, Dexter and Lubec.

School Zones

4 programs - 60 min. each; 9-12; Current Issues, Maine Studies, Teacher Education; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

  1. City-wise - Set agains the backgdrop of Maine's largest urban center, this programs reveals an insider's look at Portland H igh School. Science teacher Donna Barnard takes us behind the scenes for an unprecendented introduction to the oldest public high school in the country where 1100 students use the entire city as their campus. We see first-hand the challenges experienced by today's educators and the lessons students' face in a complex world.
  2. The Challenging Ones - At Searsport District H igh School, English teacher Kathleen Jenkins meets the challenges of providing students with exposure to life beyond their own backyard.
  3. Starting Out - School Zones visits Jarrod LeBlanc's kindergarten class at North Anson Elementary to get a first-hand look at a teacher's year in a rural school that has just one class in each grade from kindergarten to 8th. Whether playing musical chair phonics or setting up a foosball game in his classroom, Jarrod opens new worlds for his students and gives us an intimate look at a new generation educator.
  4. They Call H im Mr. T - Pricipal David Theoharides is an active educator at Mattanawcook Junior H igh School in Lincoln. From staff hikes to nearby Katahdin, to being visible at the cross-country meet, Mr. T shares the secret of what it takes to prepare students for tomorrow, today.

Seeds of Peace Speech

30 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, H uman Rights, Self-Awareness; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

John Wallach, founder of Seeds of Peace addresses the Maine Legislature. H e talks about the camp he developed in 1993 in Otisfield, Maine, after the first attack on the World Trade Center. H e discusses how teenagers are brought together from all backgrounds and various countries to inspire hope and encourage peace; to overcome fear and hatred. H e gives personal accounts of how the camp has changed the lives of several teenagers and their views on people they once held hatred for.

Seeking Solutions in Maine

60 min.; 9-12; Criminal Justice, Current Issues, H uman Rights; Produced by: Maine Public Television (1999)

This live program focuses on how individuals are leading community efforts to fight domestic violence, youth violence, and hate crimes in Maine. H osted by Don Carrigan, Seeking Solutions in Maine also offers a panel of community leaders in Maine who are working to curb crime.

State of the State Address 2002

90 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, Government; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

Live From Augusta, Angus King delivers his annual address which he dedicated to Chuck Cianchette. H e focuses on new jobs, welfare reform, education, environment, health issues and the state's infrastructure.

State of the State Address 2002

90 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, Government; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

Live From Augusta, Angus King delivers his annual address concentrating on the state budget, employment, taxes, rebuilding of the state's infrastructure, education, homeland security and the economy. Follow up comments by members of the Legislature.

Teaching with ME: Maine Teacher of the Year

60 min.; 9-12; Career Education, Current Issues; Produced by: Maine Public Television (2000)

This program includes video profiles of each of the 11 finalists for Maine Teacher of the Year 2001, highlighting the diverse stories of our state's most important profession. The special also includes a panel discussion about the challenges and rewards of teaching today. Support for this program was provided by Shop n' Save Supermarket.

What About Lindsay?

60 min.; 9-12; Current Issues, H ealth, H uman Rights, Maine Studies; Produced by: Maine Public Television (1998)

This documentary features Maine citizens with developmental disabilities living successfully in their communities. It focuses on their daily routines, including finding work, paying bills, making friends, finding someone to love, feeling a sense of community, and having a home.

Words Count with Mark Brown

60 min.; K-12; Communication, Current Issues, Guidance, H uman Rights; Produced by: Maine Public Television (2000)

Recorded before a live audience at Brunswick H igh School's Crooker Theater, Words Count with Mark Brown addresses the issues of tolerance, diversity, name calling, teamwork and relationship building.

Your Teen and Alcohol: Do You Really Know?

26 min.; 9-12; Alcohol & Drug Education; Current Issues; WSCH and Maine Office of Substance Abuse (2003)

This video features maine teens, parents and alcohol prevention experts. All kids don't drink, but two-thirds of maine 's teens report having tried alcohol. In fact, one in five Maine teens said that they had participated in excessive drinking (five or more drinks in a row) during the two weeks prior to the most recent statewide survey. Most teens believe their parents will never find out -- and they may be right. Four out of five maine parents surveyed believe their teen hasn't tried alcohol.

Youth Voices

30 min.; 9-12; Alcohol & Drug Education, Current Issues, Guidance; Produced by: Maine Public Television (2000)

Throughout this past school year, Maine PBS producers have worked with young people from across Maine as they have proactively addressed alcohol use in their communities. We are proud to share the stories of these groups and to help demonstrate the positive impact the young people of our state are having on all of us. Support for this program has been provided by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse of the Maine Department of Mental H ealth, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services in cooperation with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Youth Voices II

30 min.; 9-12; Alcohol & Drug Education, Current Issues, Guidance; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2001)

For the second consecutive year, Maine PBS is offering a program that explores issues of alcohol use through the eyes of Maine's young people. For the 2001 season, young people from the communities of Ashland, Rangeley, New Surry and Cumberland County, ages 10 to 17, have produced mini-documentaries focusing on issues surrounding alcohol in Maine.

Youth Voices III

30 min.; 9-12; Alcohol & Drug Education, Current Issues, Guidance; Maine Public Television, Lewiston, ME (2002)

Building on the success and momentum of a multi-year collaboration with Maine Office of Substance Abuse, for the third consecutive year Maine PBS will work with young people from across the state to help them produce their own television productions about alcohol use. This year, young people from the communities of Portland, Oxford H ills, H arrington and Danforth Maine are producing Public Service Announcements with the goal of reaching adults and parents to make them aware of the many issues surrounding underage drinking.