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.”

PBS Kids Design Squad Nation: Inspiring kids to dream big and change the world

Design Squad Nation co-hosts Judy Lee and Adam Vollmer (c Anthony Tieuli)

If kids have a dream, they can learn how to make it a reality with the help of the new PBS Kids program DESIGN SQUAD NATION, which premieres Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011.

Geared toward tweens and teens, DESIGN SQUAD NATION takes co-hosts and engineers Judy Lee and Adam Vollmer from coast-to-coast and around the world inspiring kids to dream big, and then build upon their ideas using creativity while incorporating all-important educational concepts using science, technology, engineering and math.

“Kids will see DESIGN SQUAD NATION and be absolutely amazed at all of the different ways that engineering can be part of their world,” says Vollmer.

A spin-off from the highly successful DESIGN SQUAD series, NATION helps kids create engineering feats that include such creations as: a pedal-powered bike organ; a human-powered flying machine; fashion designs; a skateboard park and more.

DESIGN SQUAD NATION also has a cool interactive website for having fun and encouraging additional dream-making inspiration.

Lee says, “We hope the show and website will get kids thinking about what sorts of problems and challenges they would like to solve, and to see engineering as a way to have fun while innovating for the future.”

The show’s Executive Producer Marisa Wolsky says, “More than a TV show and more than a website, DESIGN SQUAD NATION is a growing community built around the belief that with creative problem solving and engineering, any kid can make a difference.”

The video below gives you a glimpse of what’s in store during the 10-plus episodes of DESIGN SQUAD NATION. Be sure to check your local television listings for exact times and air dates on PBS.

Ultimate Block Party: Emphasizing the importance of child's play

On Sunday, October 3, 2010, from 11 AM to 5 PM, the emphasis will be on the importance of playtime, as New York City’s Central Park (at Naumburg Bandshell - 72nd Street and 5th Avenue) transforms into the Ultimate Block Party, with a multitude of free fun activities for families and children of all ages.

What is being billed as the first event of its kind, with targeted expansion to other cities nationwide, along with parent and teacher resources, Ultimate Block Party will host the largest game of Simon Says, along with mini-master classes designed with children’s play in mind, all led by top musicians, artists, scientists, architects, inventors, engineers and business leaders.

Spearheaded by Play for Tomorrow, a consortium of leading educators, and sponsored by such companies as LEGO, Crayola and National Geographic, with support from government entities that include the National Science Foundation, Ultimate Block Party aims to increase the awareness of the importance of child’s play in developing skills that lead to successful leaders for tomorrow.

With school budgets being slashed in music and the arts, and children’s recess times being shortened, studies have shown that these measures are not the most effective approach to educational development in today’s pressured and complex learning environment.

The video below further explains the importance of play in a child’s life.

You will also find additional information about this event, and all available resources by directly visiting the Ultimate Block Party's website.

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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