WPSU Digital Shorts
Short digital stories highlighting the arts, culture, science and activities in central Pennsylvania and beyond.
Episodes
The Rivet Makerspace
Learn about The Rivet makerspace and get an inside look at a wheel-thrown pottery class.
5/30/25 | 5m
Beetles, butterflies & the science of bugs at the Frost Entomological Museum
Beetles, butterflies and insects of all sorts are on display at the Frost Entomology Museum at Penn State University.
2/14/25 | 3m 56s
Eagles Mere Toboggan Slide
The Eagles Mere toboggan slide, which runs down Lake Avenue and ends on the frozen lake, is open for the first time in 11 years.
2/7/25 | 1m 8s
Healing the Red Mo: The Toxic Legacy of Acid Mine Drainage
Learn how mine pollution harmed "Red" Moshannon Creek and the efforts to clean it up.
8/21/24 | 17m 31S
The future of agriculture at Penn State’s student farm
The future of agriculture is taking root at the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State.
7/18/24 | 9m
Students tackle abandoned mine drainage | Healing the Red Moshannon
Penn State students are tackling the problem of acid mine drainage.
7/11/24 | 3m 27s
My Museum: An Inside Look at the New Palmer Museum of Art
Take an inside look at the new Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State, featuring an installation from Dale Chihuly and arboretum views.
6/13/24 | 4m 35s
Penn State birthplace honored with historical marker
The birthplace of Penn State was honored with the dedication of a historical marker, unveiled on Jan. 11.
2/1/24 | 3m 4s
PA Dignity Day
On Oct. 10, Penn State Outreach and the State College Borough led a PA Dignity Day celebration at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.
10/17/23 | 2m 37s
Children’s Eye Screenings Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Eye screenings for kids might miss vision problems that could be spotted with a full eye exam.
8/24/23 | 5m 20s
Mall Gospel
Robey Tulak shares the gospel of music at Nittany Mall. While passing customers might expect Muzak or Top 40 pop, Tulak performs gospel tunes and piano improvisations.
7/12/23 | 4m 17s
Steve Ditko: Superhero of Johnstown
Spider-man co-creator Steve Ditko is honored with a public art project in his hometown of Johnstown.
6/13/23 | 3m 15s
Moonstock
"Moonstock" is a laid back, informal concert series organized by husband-wife couple and retired Penn State faculty Kyle Peck and Catherine Augustine, who built a stage in their backyard in Port Matilda.
5/24/23 | 6m 17s
Winning the match: The fight to sanction girls wrestling in PA
Girls wrestling is the fastest growing high school sport in the country. In Pennsylvania, athletes, parents, coaches, and organizers have mobilized to increase opportunities for girls to participate in the sport.
5/12/23 | 8m 50s
The Heumann-Armstrong Award: Empowering Students with Disabilities
Penn State alumnus Elijah Armstrong founded Equal Opportunities for Students and established the Heumann-Armstrong Award—a scholarship for students with disabilities, in the 6th grade or older, who have experienced and combated ableism in education.
5/11/23 | 4m 54s
Stories from St. Metz
Brothers reflect on an upbringing that, while wildly unorthodox, taught them life lessons on hard work, having a sense of humor, and the importance of family.
2/15/23 | 15m 6s
Christmas on Display
The Vuccolos are locally famous for their award-winning, self-proclaimed “outrageous” Christmas display. They break down what it takes to be an expert Christmas decorator.
12/15/22 | 5m 57s
Carving Pumpkins for a Cause
“I'm dead serious 11 months a year. October is the one month I put it to the side to be silly.”
10/27/22 | 1m 3s
Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center
Founded in 1993, the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center provides a creative and cultural exploration hub. Learn more about the history and offerings of this Johnstown gem.
8/26/22 | 2m 27s
Stephen Nedoroscik: World Champion Gymnast
Penn State gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik made history as the first American to win a world title on pommel horse.
8/3/22 | 9m 21s
Microbes Clean Pollution from Abandoned Mines
Penn State professors research newly discovered microbes capable of rapid removal of toxic metals in acidic environments.
6/27/22 | 5m 50s
Turning Compassion into Action: Al Smith
Meet 50-year veteran volunteer Al Smith and learn about his work in the American Red Cross' Disaster Services.
3/17/22 | 2m 34s
Bluford Building Dedication
Dr. Guy Bluford, an aerospace engineer, Penn State alumnus, and the first African American in space, attended a ceremony on October 8, 2021 to honor his achievements and unveil a building in his name.
2/18/22 | 1m 40s
Meet Mimi Barash Coppersmith
Meet a local "catalyst" Mimi Barash Coppersmith in this segment from a recent conversation in the "Stronger Women Together" webinar series.
2/13/22 | 1m 52s
Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK
Dozens of runners take on the challenge of running 50 miles through Rothrock State Forest
1/7/22 | 2m 6s
Day of Caring 2021
Every year, the United Way Day of Caring brings people together to support non-profit organizations in their community.
11/26/21 | 1m 46s
How the Lobo Wolf Was Saved From Extinction in Kane, PA
In the 1920s, Dr. Edward Herber McCleery of Kane, Pennsylvania began what became a life-long mission of saving the Lobo Wolves from extinction.
9/8/21 | 3m 33s
Try Pickleball This Summer!
Five state-of-the-art, fenced pickleball courts at the 677 W. Whitehall Rd. complex were made possible with support from the Louis E. Silvi Foundation and community donors.
7/31/21 | 2m 51s
Gary & Lydia
Lydia and Gary Abdullah are longtime State College residents who met at Penn State in the early 1970s. They share their love story and what has made their marriage work for more than four decades.
7/24/21 | 12m 27s
Theatre In The Time of COVID-19
Members of Penn State's theater organization put on its first live, in-person production in over a year.
7/9/21 | 3m 33s
Wisdom of the Ages: Emilie F. Jansma
Meet Emilie Jansma, the lady with the tootsie rolls. She shares her most personal, poignant, and inspiring insights & wisdom on life.
7/1/21 | 12m 23s
Hot Cicada Summer
17 years in the making, Brood X Cicadas are emerging in parts of the United States, including central Pennsylvania.
6/25/21 | 2m 27s
Mary Lou Bennet: The First 86 Years
Mary Lou Bennett shares her most personal, poignant, and inspiring insights & wisdom on life.
5/14/21 | 13m 41s
Earth Week Birding Classic
Learn about the Earth Week Birding Classic held from April 15 to 25, 2021.
5/5/21 | 2m 2s
Sizdeh Bedar
Sizdeh Bedar is the 13th and final day of the Nowruz (New Year) celebration for many ethnicities in Iran and around the world. Learn more about this traditional holiday.
4/2/21 | 1m 26s
Home Gardening Tips: Winter Transplants
We spoke with Tim Butzler, a horticulture educator with Penn State Extension, about some tips for gardening in the winter.
1/15/21 | 3m 29s
Women’s Suffrage
This clip from HumIn Focus explores the history of Women's Suffrage in America.
12/4/20 | 5m 28s
Historic Black Churches in Central Pennsylvania
Find out about more than a century of history that still exists today in historic Black churches in central Pennsylvania.
8/15/20 | 3m 25s
Bill Doan on Art & Anxiety
Bill Doan discusses his view of anxiety and how he channels often difficult feelings into creative and inspirational works for both community and family.
7/3/20 | 3m 11s
Mental Health and COVID-19: Stress and Normal Activities
Here are five tips on how to manage stress and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic.
6/19/20 | 3m 26s
Mental Health and COVID-19: Sleep
Find out how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting an important aspect of maintaining your mental health: getting regular, good quality sleep.
6/12/20 | 2m 55s
Mental Health and COVID-19: Feelings of Isolation
Dr. Erika Saunders discusses feelings of isolation while social distancing and sheltering at home.
6/6/20 | 2m 39s
Adopt a Senior
A new nationwide effort is helping graduating seniors feel the love while building new connections in and beyond their communities.
6/5/20 | 46s
Speaking Grief Q&A
We asked Lindsey Whissel Fenton five questions about WPSU's newest project: Speaking Grief.
6/2/20 | 9m 24s
WPSU Radio from Home
Despite how different things feel right now, our WPSU radio team is still hard at work bringing families and communities in central Pennsylvania important programs.
6/2/20 | 45s
How Farmer’s Markets Are Enduring COVID-19
“People are starting to think a little more carefully about the food system and where their food is coming from.”
5/22/20 | 45s
WPSU Staff Recommendations: Classic Movies
WPSU producer Andy Grant recommends spending some of that extra free-time while social distancing by getting caught up on classic movies!
5/8/20 | 53s
Teddy Bears and Rainbows
To encourage "social distance walking," Courtney Whitmer encouraged her neighbors in State College to participate in The Teddy Bears and Rainbows scavenger hunt.
4/17/20 | 46s
Fix It, Don’t Nix It: Pocket Watch
Host Min Xian helps a grandfather get his ancestor’s pocket watch repaired so he can pass down the treasured family heirloom.
1/30/20 | 4m 12s
Shining Light Through The Darkness
Get a glimpse into the light-filled celebration in this piece from “Our Town: Lewistown” from 2016.
1/20/20 | 2m 22s
The Watershed Journal
A group of local writers gather in Brookville to listen and comment on each others stories and created a quarterly publication.
1/18/20 | 1m 19s
Everyday is Caturday at Centre County Library
The Centre County Library and Historical Museum is getting help promoting literacy and libraries from a local viral sensation, Horatio the Cat.
1/10/20 | 2m 36s
PA Places: Potter County Historical Society
David Costano tells us a little bit about a unique museum in downtown Coudersport, PA.
12/13/19 | 2m 29s
Geese Flock Together
Around Lewistown, a happy Juniata Valley tradition includes a public art project featuring 5-foot tall Geese!
11/26/19 | 1m 55s
Deer Season by Brandon Pelter
Penn State student Brandon Pelter examined the state of Pennsylvania's hunting industry and culture.
11/22/19 | 1m 17s
Martin Grieco WWII Veteran
In honor of Veterans Day: Martin Grieco of State College, Pennsylvania discusses his military service experience during World War II.
11/11/19 | 52s
Luke/Laurel
Luke Nosal talks about coming out as non-binary and what it means to live authentically.
11/7/19 | 3m 35s
Our Town from the Sky
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic aerial tour of some of the Central Pennsylvania towns we visited as part of the Our Town series.
10/30/19 | 1m 43s
Did You Know: LASER
What do you know about LASERs? Test Your Knowledge in this Did You Know segment from Sci Tech Now.
10/26/19 | 1m 3s
Three Percent: Bear Hunting in Pennsylvania
Paddy Cotter created this story "Three Percent" last year as part of Penn State's The John Curley Center For Sports Journalism.
10/18/19 | 3m 22s
WPSU Gives Back
WPSU and Penn State Outreach planted trees last week for ClearWater Conservancy as part of its PNC Bank Day of Caring for Centre County United Way.
10/17/19 | 1m 37s
Punkin’ Chunkin’ in Bald Eagle Valley
You can eat, drink and watch pumpkins fly through the air at the Howard Fire Company’s annual Pumpkin Chunkin Festival held every October.
10/3/19 | 4m 8s
WPSU Overall Station Excellence Emmy® Award
We had a great year celebrating our Emmy® Aard win for Overall Station Excellence and taking it on the road to thank our supporters. THANK YOU!
9/27/19 | 1m 14s
The Whistling Woodsman
Meet Martin Melville, a professional logger and competitive whistler.
9/6/19 | 2m 25s
Centre County Hosts Remembrance
Centre County hosted a candlelight remembrance on August 29 to honor those who died of a drug overdose.
9/6/19 | 1m 42s
Lock Haven Jazz Festival
The town of Lock Haven held its annual Jazz Festival August 16-17, 2019. Check out this segment from Our Town: Lock Haven!
9/6/19 | 2m 53s
WPSU Kids’ Day at DelGrosso’s Park
We asked kids at Kids’ Day what their favorite PBS KIDS program is. Here’s what they answered!
8/23/19 | 1m 55s
Apollo Moon Landing 50 Years Ago
On July 20, 2019, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first human moon landing.
7/19/19 | 2m 54s
Penn State Honors 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
On July 16, 2019 the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium and Penn State honored the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11!
7/19/19 | 58s
Arts Festival 1967
Time for a flashback… all the way to 1967 for the first Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts! WPSU was there! Were you?
7/11/19 | 1m 49s
Everett Railroad Train Excursions in Blair County
The Everett Railroad train excursions gave folks an inside look at life on the home front during the 1940’s.
7/10/19 | 3m 22s
Eliot Ness Fest in Coudersport, PA
Coudersport will celebrate its second Eliot Ness Fest July 19-21, 2019. Take a look at last year’s festival in this segment from Our Town Coudersport.
7/9/19 | 3m 40s
Tick Talk
Dr. Jennifer Delozier shares tips on how to avoid tick bites and what to do if you are bitten by a tick.
6/28/19 | 4m 24s
Thomas Paquette: A Painter From Warren, PA
Thomas Paquette's landscape paintings have been featured in more than 50 solo exhibitions in museums and prominent galleries in cities around the country.
6/24/19 | 3m 15s
Bicycle Facts
Did you know that bike riding is the most efficient muscle-powered form of travel?
6/6/19 | 53s
Memorial Day: Our Town Boalsburg
Learn more about the Memorial Day celebration in Boalsburg in this clip from the Our Town series.
5/24/19 | 2m 42s
U.S. House 12th District Special Election in Pennsylvania
On Tuesday, May 21, voters in the 12th district will choose a new representative in the U.S. House in a special election.
5/17/19 | 46s
Happy Valley Quilts of Valor
Quilts of Valor Foundation was started by a lady in Delaware, Kathy Roberts, in 2003.
5/10/19 | 3m 1s
It’s A Beautiful Day: Thank You Mister Rogers
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Fred Rogers's appeal to Congress that stopped a proposal to cut federal funding for public media.
5/1/19 | 1m 42s
Birdwatching in Central Pennsylvania
"Getting to know an area and how it changes through the seasons is probably the most exciting part of birdwatching."
4/26/19 | 4m 25s
How to Prepare for a Marathon
More than 30,000 people took part in the Boston Marathon this year! Ever wonder how many miles you have to run to prepare for a marathon?
4/15/19 | 1m 37s
Powwow: As Long As We Dance
“The drum is the heartbeat of the Indian people. You can feel it in your feet and it moves through your body and you can just feel it in your soul.”
4/3/19 | 3m 52s
Hundreds of Alpacas Gathered for Showcase in Centre Hall
Over three hundred alpacas gathered in Centre Hall in March for an annual showcase hosted by the Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association.
3/29/19 | 1m 36s
Bone Facts
Did you know that as our bodies develop, we would have in total 206 bones by adulthood? Learn more about the bones in your body in this short clip by WPSU Digital Studios!
3/28/19 | 48s
10 Reasons to Join WPSU
Here are 10 reasons to become a member at WPSU! Learn more at wpsu.org/donate.
3/14/19 | 1:01
Phenomenal Women in Pennsylvania
Today we celebrate women from all around the globe! Learn about some of these phenomenal women in Pennsylvania.
3/8/19 | 1:32
Black History 101 Mobile Museum
“Black History Month is important to me because it allows us to celebrate black lives and I think it should be more than just a month.”
2/28/19 | 2:19
What Does Love Look Like to You?
On Valentine’s Day we celebrate love in many forms. What does love look like to you?
2/21/19 | 2m 21s
Chinese New Year at Penn State
WPSU talks to Quichen Fan and Zheng Xing from the Chinese Students and Scholars Association at Penn State about Lunar New Year!
2/7/19 | 1m 21s
Learn about Pickleball with the Pickleball Czar!
WPSU's Carolyn Donaldson talks to Pickleball Czar Bo Barrow to learn what is Pickleball?
1/28/19 | 2m 52s
Martin Luther King Jr. Speech at Penn State
From our archive: On Jan. 21. 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech at Penn State. As we celebrate Dr. King's life, let us remember his vision of equality, opportunity, and justice for all.
1/21/19 | 33s
First Snow in Centre County
WPSU’s Beth Bamford talked to kids in the neighborhood to find out what they loved most about the snow! What do YOU enjoy most about the snow?
1/10/19 | 1m
Letters About a Fallen Soldier Reunited with his Namesake
On Veterans Day, Wynn Brown was gifted some letters about a soldier from Kane, Pennsylvania who fought and died in World War I.
12/21/18 | 3m 42s
The Winter Celebration at the Arboretum
See the beautiful lights displayed at the Winter Celebration at the Arboretum at Penn State. WPSU’s Alex Rabb walks us through the event.
12/20/18 | 55s
Open Seat Event in State College
The Open Seat event held in State College in December brings people together through local food. Learn more.
12/20/18 | 2m 32s
The 34th Annual Nittany Valley Half Marathon
WPSU's Cole Cullen finds motivation in running as he walks us through the 34th Annual Nittany Valley Half-Marathon.
12/10/18 | 59s
Chabad of Penn State Hosts Menorah Lighting
Chabad of Penn State celebrated the fourth night of Chanukah tonight by lighting a 12-foot menorah outside of Penn State’s Old Main building.
12/5/18 | 1m
The YMCA of Centre County 2018 Polar Bear Plunge
Take a look at the YMCA of Centre County's Polar Bear Plunge that was held in December at Black Moshannon State Park.
12/3/18 | 59s
A Walk with a Hunter
In welcoming the start of the hunting season, WPSU’s Cassie Caldwell spends a day learning about hunting with her favorite hunter.
11/21/18 | 2m 35s
Eventapalooza 2018: Did You Solve the Mystery?
Curious families came together to solve a mystery at Eventapalooza!
11/16/18 | 2m 45s
Election Night: Behind the Scenes
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes here at WPSU? See what we were up to during election night!
11/8/18 | 48s
What’s Your District?
Redistricting in Pennsylvania means your congressional district might have changed.
11/5/18 | 1m 19s
Foliage in Central Pennsylvania
Are you underwhelmed with the foliage colors this year too? Watch this video to understand why the fall colors in Central Pennsylvania were not as impressive this year!
10/29/18 | 2m 34s
A Brief History of the Internet
The very first Internet message was sent between UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute in 1969.
10/27/18 | 1m 15s
More from WPSU Digital
Women in Science Profiles
WiSci Files features local women with careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Pennsylvania Makers
Pennsylvania Makers features local artists showcasing their unique talent and creativity.
Wonders of the Night Sky
Stargazing tips, insights and more for beginning and veteran astronomers and anyone curious about the Wonders of the Night Sky.
Adventures in Privy Digging
Houtzdale resident Frank Harchak shares his passion for digging up old outhouses.
Year-Round Gardening
Year-Round Gardening gives basic gardening tips throughout the year. The instructional clips feature Penn State Extension Educators and Master Gardeners.
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