The 2016 Common Sense Media Awards were held on Tuesday, May 3, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. It was an incredible evening and a privilege for us to salute each of our honorees for the inspirational work they do to help kids, families, and schools harness the power of media and technology.

2016 honorees included:

SOCIAL CHANGE CATALYST AWARD

NZA-ARI KHEPRA



Founder of the Wear Orange campaign, a leading youth-led movement using social media to turn tragedy into a meaningful gun-violence-awareness effort

BEST FAMILY MEDIA AWARD

ZOOTOPIA



Accepted by: Clark Spencer, producer, and Nate Torrence, voice of Clawhauser

Recognized for offering an exceptional media experience for families of all types

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

MARIE BELLE VARGAS



Library media specialist at PS1x in New York City and champion of technology integration in the classroom

EDUCATIONAL CREATOR AWARD

BILL NYE



Scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor who has made science cool and engaging for a generation of kids

HOSTED BY

Claire Shipman, journalist, author, and public speaker

Special guests included:

The Honorable Julián Castro, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and champion of the ConnectHome affordable broadband initiative, and Tom Wheeler, chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission