Next Gen Events

IPR is proud to present Kids Commute episodes (7:40AM & 3:20PM, Monday - Friday) related to this special event the week of October 30 - November 3!

Two incredible, kid-oriented Classical Sprouts podcast episodes have been created to support and extend this program; the podcast episodes are available below and wherever you listen to Classical Sprouts! Finally, given its proximity to Halloween, kids will be invited to attend the event in a late 1800s (Victorian) costume for a chance to win swag!

Classical Sprouts: 'Pictures at an Exhibition' part 1: Let's go to a museum!

Classical Sprouts: 'Pictures at an Exhibition' part 2: From a piano to an orchestra and beyond!

This program is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Educational Resources

Grounded in the empowerment of women in historical and contemporary STEM leadership, the Hidden Figures curriculum highlights the determination of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three black women known as “human computers” who were employed by NASA in Langley, Virginia. In the 1050s and 1960s these women transcended the discriminatory biases of colleagues and community members to achieve their goals and become leaders in the fields of mathematics and engineering. Their lives model vital lessons in confidence, structural equity and academic excellence that apply to all students. Inspiring and eye-opening, this film will help students explore social and emotional struggles that can still be felt today and help all of us look beyond preconceptions, stereotypes and in order to more fully embrace every person's potential. 

Made possible in part by a grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation

Dr. Kate Biberdorf is a chemist, science entertainer, and professor at The University of Texas. Through her theatrical and hands-on approach to teaching, Dr. Biberdorf is breaking down the image of the stereotypical scientist while reaching students who might otherwise be intimidated by science.

She is the author of the bestseller The Big Book of Experiments, The Awesome Book of Edible Experiments for Kids, the fiction series Kate the Chemist, and the nonfiction book It's Elemental: The Hidden Chemistry in Everything. She's been profiled in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, and appeared on The Today Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, NBC Nightly News, The Rachael Ray Show, Star Talk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

The first of three tales introduces the most beautiful fish in the sea, whose scales shimmer in all the colors of the rainbow. He is admired–and resented-by the entire underwater world, until a clever octopus advises him to give each fish one of his scales. Further adventures follow as The Rainbow Fish finds the courage to explore the great unknown deep sea, discovering a new world with wonderful sights and friendly creatures of all shapes, sizes and colors who are eager to make his acquaintance. The underworld wonderland is the setting for an introduction to the concept of opposites. As a fitting finale, the story ends with the most satisfying opposite of all—give and take—as Rainbow Fish shares one of his shining scales with a friend.

Educational Resources

Co-presented with

An emotive and exhilarating tale about the choices humans have made regarding our planet and its resources, Zephyr: A Whirlwind of Circus by Cirque Mechanics presents the unrelenting tug of war between man and nature in the name of progress. Cirque Mechanics quickly established itself as a premier American circus, with its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling, and innovative mechanical staging. Spectacle Magazine hailed it as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.”

Educational Resources

Educational Resources - Coming Soon

The Youth Civics Forum is an original, collaborative forum designed to provide a positive example of healthy, respectful discourse around the intersection of government and civic responsibility. 

This first Forum is focused on the concept of privacy, which will engage high school and college students’ interest because of its relevance to social and professional lives. The event will kick off with a performing arts “hook” into the topic of privacy through a readers theater style, 10-minute performance by Little Traverse Civic Theater. 

Drs. Rachel Sytsma-Reed and Scott LaDeur (North Central Michigan College) will lead engagement activities from the stage to create awareness among students of their assumptions around privacy. The focal point of the Forum will be a 45-60 minute panel discussion on the topic, What is private anymore?; panel members will talk about the ways in which privacy concerns and government regulation impact their work. Panel members are (1) Dr. Micah Watson (Calvin University), who will provide the philosophical framework for our conversation and share the perspective of an academic; (2) Ed Ronco (Interlochen Public Radio), who will address privacy considerations from a journalistic and news reporting perspective; (3) Judge Jennifer Deegan (57th Circuit Court, Petoskey), who will anchor our discussion in law, policing, and the scope of government regulation; and (4) Carolyn Wiese, PA (Petoskey Family Medicine), whose experiences in family medicine and mental health care will guide conversation around privacy rights and the rise in mental health concerns among teens and young adults. Dr. Scott LaDeur (North Central Michigan College) will provide the introduction, moderate the panel discussion, and lead the conclusion. 

Students will be invited to submit questions to the panel through teachers who register for the event.

Educational Resources

Havana Hop: a children’s tale of culture and confidence! Young Yeila dreams of being a superstar but her lack of confidence gives her awful stage fright. With advice from her mother and mentors, Yeila begins her journey to find her roots, get confidence and be amazing! Travel with Yeila who visits her grandmother in Cuba to add a salsa flavor to her own hip-hop style! The audience gets to dance along in this dynamic participation play where one actress creates three generations of lively women. Journey with Yeila as she discovers the fun of her multi-cultural heritage.

Educational Resources

As childhood friends growing up in Denver, Colorado, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were always exploring the outdoors. Whether it was rafting down their neighborhood creek or discovering hiking trails through the Rocky Mountains, Joe and Justin were born adventurers. Now, as the GRAMMY® Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, they have put this passion for the outdoors at the heart of their American folk music.

Get ready to get your outdoor explorer on and your inner musical artist inspired! The duo's music is positive, upbeat, and well-loved by children (and adults!) everywhere. Their lyrics are catchy and smart, with heartfelt words and goofy bits. "This is music you can feel good about your kids listening to." (Theresa, USA)