Netflix Says “…all Aboard the Magic Schoolbus!”

Image Source: Pixabay.com

“On THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS…
Step inside — it’s a wilder ride!
Come on — ride on THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS!”

It quite possibly could be one of the most recognized theme songs from the 90s generation & it’s making a comeback in a big way!

Netflix and Scholastic Media announced today they will launch a new original TV series based on the groundbreaking and iconic TV show The Magic School Bus. The all-new CG animated series from Scholastic Media – The Magic School Bus 360 degrees  will be a dynamic reimagining of the show that revolutionized kids’ television starting in the 1990s.

Scholastic Media’s Emmy Award-winning creative team, led by Executive Producer Deborah Forte, will produce the new series written for school-aged children. The 26 episodes will launch on Netflix starting in 2016.

The new iteration of the enduring franchise features a modernized Ms. Frizzle and her class along with an inventive high-tech bus that invites children on high-flying hijinks that introduce the incredible world of science. Each new episode promises thrilling discoveries, heart-pounding explorations and relatable humor, while encouraging kids to think critically and creatively to answer questions and solve problems. The series also features the latest tech innovations such as robotics, wearables and camera technology to captivate children’s imaginations and motivate their interest in the sciences. The all-new episodes also leverage advancements in animation, science and technology in a way that will delight a new generation of young viewers, and like its predecessor, will help kids around the world discover the magic and value of exploration and innovation.  

Uniquely aligned with the global emphasis on STEM education, the new Magic School Bus 360 degrees showcases all fields of science, while embracing technology as a creative tool that supports learning and impacts daily life. The series provides an exceptional opportunity for kids to watch, learn and explore science, inspiring them to become active participants in the scientific process through the show’s extraordinary adventures and fantastic discoveries.

 In August 2013, The Magic School Bus (seasons 1-4; all 52 episodes) became available exclusively for SVOD to Netflix members in the U.S., Canada, UK, Ireland, and Latin America. In 2011,The Magic School Bus celebrated its 25th Anniversary.

For more information on The Magic School Bus, please visit www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus or Magic School Bus | Scholastic Media Room

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Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140611/116864  
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101014/SF81638LOGO

SOURCE Netflix

LEGO’s New Toys Celebrate STEM & Women in Science

Image Source: Pixabay.com

Good news for lovers of tiny, plastic science – female LEGO researchers will hit shelves this August. On Wednesday, the company announced a new collection titled “Research Institute,” an all-female line with characters pursuing three distinct fields: astronomy, paleontology and chemistry.

The project came about after Swedish geochemist Ellen Kooijman submitted it to Lego Ideas, a fan-based incubator that allows the Lego community to vote on potential collections. After earning the required 10,000 votes, “Research Institute” went on to be selected by the Lego board — beating popular franchises such as SherlockAdventure TimeBack to the Future and The Legend of Zelda.

The new set is a result of the LEGO Ideas project, which allows users to create and upload their own toy concepts. People then vote on the ideas and the winner is turned into a real product, as Geekosystem reports.

Previous winners have included a Mars Curiosity Rover and a DeLorien from Back to the Future, but we’re not sure that they’re as awesome as the winner of this Winter 2014 Review – which includes a female paleontologist, astronomer and chemist, AND a dinosaur skeleton.

The set will be titled the LEGO Research Institute and the idea was initially submitted by Alatariel Elensar, who wrote, “The motto of these scientists is clear: explore the world and beyond!”

LEGO joins the ranks alongside other toy makers that are realizing the importance of STEM & the growing need for women in science. Check out our archived blog post on Goldiblocks, a company reaching millions of little girls via their innovative engineering kits.

Fewer than 3 out of 10 graduates in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields are women. And barely 1 in 10 actual engineers are women. Early in a girl’s life, the toys marketed to her are usually things that don’t encourage her to enter those fields. 

In a world where men largely outnumber women in science, technology, engineering and math… and girls lose interest in these subjects as early as age 8. Toys that are geared toward STEM, such as the new LEGO & GoldieBlox are determined to change the equation. These toys develop an early interest in these subjects, but for over a hundred years, they’ve been considered “boys toys”. 

We can’t help but get excited to see toy companies & manufactures truly inspiring a whole new generation of future scientists! 

June 2014 E-News: Get Up, Get Out – Celebrate National Outdoors Month!

The nature of the modern family has changed, as in, there’s not much nature in it!

American families have moved indoors over the past two decades, taking a mental and physical toll on today’s population. Spending time outside is good for mental and physical health. Even more, it’s FUN and helps families to build a lasting connection to nature and to each other.

Some say it takes a village to raise a family. This month, discover why we say it takes a backyard, a playground, a park!

Easy Ways to Celebrate June as Great Outdoors Month

Studies show that families that spend more time outside are more likely to live an active lifestyle, maintain a healthier body weight, are less likely to be nearsighted, have higher vitamin D levels, display more empathy and less stress, have better mental health and have increased attention spans and improved critical thinking skills.

Each June, an impressive collection of organizations, agencies and companies work together to galvanize public attention around the value of spending more time outdoors. In 2013, President Obama declared the month of June “National Great Outdoors Month.”

With much of the country eager to put this year’s winter & “snow-mageddon” behind them, summer has never been so eagerly anticipated. Here at HTHT, we’re planning on celebrating in many different ways, but here are a few of our staff favorites:

Dinosaur Dan:Go camping, either in the backyard, the National Forest or in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Terri-Dactyl:Go hiking on a new trail & go bike riding (a lot!)

Atomic Aimee:Start bird watching from the kitchen window & learn how to distinguish different types of birds.

Lunar Leslie:Find all of the Night Sky Constellations and view the stars through a telescope

Molecule Melanie:Go on a critter-seeking scavenger hunt to discover what might be living in our backyard (especially looking for a frog or an owl!) Keeping a Nature Photography Journal to document our memories along the way.

Great Outdoors Month 2014 is upon us bringing with its boundless opportunities to satisfy those cravings for fresh air & sunshine! If you’re looking for ways to get your family up & out this month, then look no further! Keep reading to discover how YOU can put the great back into The Great Outdoors! 

Fabulous Events!

Great Outdoors Month offers many events, large and small. The pillars of Great Outdoors Month include widespread national events ranging from National Trails Day® to National Fishing and Boating Week, from National GO (Get Outdoors) Day to National Marina Day and we can’t forget our favorite, the Great American Backyard Campout. There are numerous state parks, local park departments and nature centers, hosting weekly events throughout the month, providing an array of things to see & do with everything from incredible exhibitions to innovative, hands-on experiences.

Amazing Places!

Great Outdoors Month is also about amazing places. Not sure where to go? That’s OK! Check out NatureFind, a unique tool designed to help you locate the most amazing places in the country. From misty mountain peaks to sandy seashores, these amazing places are as close as a step out the front door. Even the smallest amount of fresh air can help to strengthen your connection with nature and have lasting health benefits such as reducing stress levels.

Remember, too, that you don’t have to travel far and wide to get a dose of the great outdoors. From your own backyard to your neighborhood park, there are dozens of opportunities to “Get Up & Get Out” close to nearly everyone in the U.S.

Great Things to Do!

Whether your summer itinerary includes traveling or staying at home, the possibilities for scientific discovery and exploration are as vast & great as Mother Nature’s own backyard!

With a little planning, the great outdoors transforms into the ideal laboratory for scientists of all ages to explore the world around them. Whether it’s spending a night outside in a tent, watching a butterfly dart across a garden that your family cultivated, hiking a new trail or simply daydreaming beneath a shady tree – you can kick start your summer with activities that are not only FUN, but set the stage for an epic summertime adventure that’s meaningful & memorable for the entire family.

This month, we challenge you to unplug your family & set out on an adventure into the wilderness wonderland that surrounds you. Check out our Sizzlin’ Summertime Science: FUN in the Sun Guide for a list of activities that will help even the most indoor-oriented families enjoy the Great Outdoors. 

School may be out for the summer, but science FUN is always in!

Stay connected with High Touch High Tech all summer long & share your Sizzlin’ Science outdoor adventures with us!

Click here to email us or stay connected and become a part of the HTHT Community on Facebook & share your pictures, field guide entries & more!

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