Super Grover 2.0: Special theme this week on Sesame Street

Sesame Street's Super Grover 2.0

It’s never too early to introduce young children to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and this week Sesame Street offers an all encompassing television/online and social media experience with Super Grover 2.0, as the beloved blue furry figure actively encourages preschoolers to engage in the world around them through the process of scientific inquiry by observing, questioning and investigating. These concepts provide the foundation of STEM learning.

Each day on Sesame Street (check local listings), a new segment will be playfully provided by Grover covering these important concepts.

To gently reinforce the televised segment, Sesamestreet.org online provides a game, playlists, printable activity sheets, a home-page movie as well as Super Grover 2.0 video clips.

And, to further enhance the learning experience, Grover will be posting his favorite super hero tips on Facebook as well as web exclusive videos such as the one below.

“Super Grover 2.0,’ is a perfect age-appropriate way to engage children as active participants in figuring out how to solve problems using scientific inquiry skills.  By modeling these behaviors, preschoolers learn vocabulary and STEM concepts that enhances their knowledge about how the world around them works,” says Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Education and Research, Sesame Workshop. “We are very excited to have an entire week devoted to STEM learning across different media platforms that help encourage young children’s curiosity in science as they explore their world.” 

 

Take a look at the YouTube video as Super Grover handles the concept of “Questioning.”

The lovers, the dreamers and me: Jim Henson remembered

Today marks the birth date of one of those rare, multi-talented entertainers, puppeteer-actor-producer-director-writer and composer, Jim Henson, whose legacy lives on in some of the finest children’s programming ever created.

Born in 1936 in Greenville, Mississippi, Henson accomplished an outstanding, award-winning body of work in his 53 years of life, encompassing both television and film.

Widely known as the creator of “The Muppets,” it was Henson’s skilled presentation of some of these beloved fabric characters, such as “Kermit the Frog” that provided dual stars for him and his amphibian characterization on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

It was also Henson’s puppetry talents that were instrumental to the success of one of the longest running and most honored children’s programs, Sesame Street.

Henson’s life was cut short May 16, 1990, dying within a matter of days after contracting a streptococcal infection.

Today, Henson’s creative work continues through his family-run Jim Henson Company, the Jim Henson Foundation and the multitude of products that bear his signature.

Henson’s alter ego, better known as “Kermit the frog” lives on as well and is voiced by the talented actor, Steve Whitmire.

Henson once said, “When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.”

On September 26, 1992, Henson was proclaimed, "Humanitarian, muppeteer, producer and director of films for children that encourage tolerance, interracial values, equality and fair play," when he was posthumously awarded the Children’s Peace Award. This honor, which is part of the Courage of Conscience Awards, places his name and work alongside that of humanity’s finest contributors: names such as Mahatma Gandhi; John Lennon and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The video tribute below is also a testament to his work and is but a fraction of the outpouring of admiration for Henson that has made its way to the Internet over the years.

Featured on the video is the talented Sarah McLachlan, singing the “Rainbow Connection” from the 1979 hit film, The Muppet Movie, which was originally sung by Henson as Kermit. The song became part of music history when it made Billboard’s Hot 100 and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Sesame Street launches new season with Oprah Winfrey and "The O Show" animated segment

For over 40 years, Sesame Street has been a top ranked television favorite with preschoolers, parents and caregivers, and on Monday, September 27, 2010, the award-winning series launches an outstanding lineup of programming produced by the nonprofit educational organization, Sesame Workshop.

Premiering in the first episode of Sesame Street’s 41st season is a charming animated segment, “The O Show,” voiced by Oprah Winfrey, which introduces youngsters to the letter “O” utilizing talk show guests “Otto the Orangutan” and “Ophelia the Octopus.”

A wide roster other celebrities are performing in many more delightful parodies during the new season and include such notables as Academy Award-nominated actor, Jude Law; Golden Globe Award-winning actors Colin Farrell, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman; Emmy Award-winning comedian Wanda Sykes; NFL superstars Reggie Bush and LaDainian Tomlinson; Grammy Award-winning artists Will.i.am, Usher and Michael McKean and pop star Katy Perry to name just a few.

Also on tap, Sesame Workshop’s continuing commitment to science-based curriculum, which invites young viewers to become active participants in the processes of scientific inquiry.

“Children are naturally inquisitive – they are always questioning and analyzing the world around them,” says Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President of Education and Research, Sesame Workshop. “The goal of the curriculum is to introduce young children to vocabulary and process skills that are integral in developing scientific reasoning abilities.” She adds, “Having our characters model these skills, especially ‘Super Grover 2.0,’ is a perfect age-appropriate way to engage children while they learn science concepts and build knowledge about how the world around them works.”

Now, for your viewing enjoyment, below is a new video clip of “The O Show,” and by visiting Sesame Street’s YouTube Channel you’ll see more of the 41st season original segment clips featuring Wanda Sykes, Katy Perry and other celebrities.

Also, be sure to log in to Sesame Street on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.

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