FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

PBS NORTH CAROLINA LAUNCHES A FREE AUGMENTED-REALITY APP FOR KIDS 

Designed for ages five to ten, the app offers young learners the opportunity to explore the natural and cultural wonders of North Carolina. 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 11/30/2022 — PBS North Carolina announces the launch of its new augmented-reality (AR) app for kids, Explore NC. Developed with support from and in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) as part of their NCLearn initiative, the free app offers young learners and their families a fun and immersive way to explore the state’s natural, cultural and historical attractions from wherever they are. Explore NC is available for iOS and Android devices at Apple and Google app stores. 

The app celebrates North Carolina as a state with a rich history of innovation and a deep connection to nature. Experiences in the app include an exhilarating flight simulation at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a 360 encounter with endangered red wolves in their den at the North Carolina Zoo, an AR concert featuring a string quartet from the North Carolina Symphony, an interactive game with an indigenous carnivorous Venus flytrap and a 3D look at a life-size bronze statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It also features an audio excerpt from the Civil Rights leader’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which he first delivered at a high school gymnasium in Rocky Mount. Additional experiences will be added regularly. 

“PBS North Carolina is always looking to expand its reach and relevance on emerging platforms, especially with young learners,” says David Huppert, Director of PBS North Carolina’s Media Innovation Lab. “We wanted to create an experience that brings the natural and cultural wonders of the state to the palm of their hands. By leveraging augmented-reality tools, we can bring science, history and culture to life in a trusted, safe and educational environment that sparks curiosity.” 

PBS North Carolina’s Media Innovation Lab (MIL) created the Explore NC app using the Unreal Engine developed by Epic Games, a leading interactive entertainment and technology company based in Cary, North Carolina. The MIL developed the app with Horizon Productions, a Durham-based creative-services agency. 

“At PBS North Carolina, we welcome curiosity,” says Melissa Rihm Thibault, PBS North Carolina’s Chief Education and Innovation Officer. “With this app, children and their families get an immersive experience that will deepen their appreciation for the unique treasures of our state. Who better to engage young learners through discovery and adventure than our state’s public media network, PBS North Carolina?” 

The Explore NC app was developed with support from and in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “We are thrilled to partner with PBS North Carolina to bring innovative educational resources to early learners across North Carolina, featuring our state’s rich history, spectacular natural areas, and diverse cultural resources,” says D. Reid Wilson, Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. 

About the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources  

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism and promoting economic development. For more information, please visit ncdcr.gov.  

About PBS North Carolina  

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS Kids and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS NC serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  

-PBS NC-    

Media Contact  

Kathleen Kramer, PBS North Carolina Marketing & Communications  
kkramer@pbsnc.org 
919-549-7059