Jenny Buccos

Jenny Buccos is a multi-award-winning director and producer, with more two decades of experience in K-12 education. As the founder and CEO of EXPLR, and Co-Director of the National STEM Festival, she is a leading figure in the field.

In 2003, before the advent of YouTube, Buccos created ProjectExplorer, a multimedia platform aimed at educating K-12 students about global issues, cultures, and histories. To date, she has directed and produced over 500 educational videos, collaborating with influential figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ziggy Marley, and the late Anthony Bourdain.

John Hishmeh, Special Projects Officer for the U.S. Department of State, lauds Buccos for her exceptional approach to storytelling, stating, “Such endeavors are out of the ordinary because [Jenny] takes the time to properly research what is needed to capture environments without bias and gains access to areas that provide a rich landscape for learning…She is a positive voice in a sea of global misunderstanding.”

In 2024, she co-directed the National STEM Festival, presented in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education. This festival, hailed as the largest and most geographically diverse K-12 Science Fair in U.S. history, underscores Buccos’s commitment to promoting STEM education and civic engagement. She has emerged as a prominent advocate for STEM literacy, stressing its relevance to the world around us and civic responsibility.

Her contributions have garnered widespread recognition, with features on major media platforms including MSNBC, Fast Company, NBC, Fox, NPR, and more. Buccos has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious GOLD Parent’s Choice Award for Excellence in Educational Programming on three occasions. She was honored with a National Award for Citizen Diplomacy in 2010 and was named a White House Champion of Change by the Obama Administration.

In addition, Buccos’s impact in the EdTech community has been celebrated by the National School Boards Association, which named her one of the “20 to Watch” – an award reserved for emerging leaders poised to shape the field for years to come.

Beyond her educational endeavors, Buccos is the visionary behind Crash Test World, a captivating TV series geared towards families and hosted by Kari Byron, available for streaming on Discovery+.

Civic Engagement Through STEM

Highlighting the intersection of STEM education and civic engagement, and how STEM skills and literacy can empower individuals to address local and global challenges.

Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

Addressing the importance of diversity, inclusion, and belonging in STEM fields, along with strategies for creating inclusive environments that support individuals from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations.

Building STEM Identity

Exploring the factors that influence STEM identity formation, and strategies for fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging among students pursuing STEM education and careers.

Community Partnerships in STEM Education

Highlighting the importance of collaboration between schools, businesses, and community organizations to enhance STEM education and workforce readiness.

Empowering Underrepresented Groups in STEM

Sharing initiatives and best practices for increasing access to STEM education and careers for underrepresented groups and under-resourced populations, including rural communities, women, and low-income communities.