The Cyberchase Movie Screening & Behind the Scene Interview
In connection with Earth Month, we attended a private screening for the eco-themed adventure CYBERCHASE movie before it's premiere on Tuesday, April 15 on PBS stations across the country!
The CYBERCHASE Movie synopsis:
The future of Cyberspace is at stake in the one-hour special, “The CYBERCHASE Movie.” Hacker and his bumbling henchbots Buzz and Delete are drilling inside the nature preserve Ecotopia when they carelessly set off a slime geyser, destroying many animals' habitats and causing overcrowding.
Matt, Jackie, Inez and Digit are called in to rescue the animals and restore harmony to Ecotopia. They team up with Ollie (voiced by Rodriguez), a Junior Ranger, and quickly learn that harmony on Ecotopia isn't their only problem. Can the kids restore Ecotopia, rescue their friends and prevent Cyberspace from being lost to Hacker forever?
To see the movie you can stream episodes for free at www.pbskids.org/video and on the go with the free PBS KIDS Video App.
After the movie the families had a live meet and greet with Harry, star of "Cyberchase for Real" segment of the show. My son and Harry apparently had lots to chat about while playing math themed guessing games.
I had a good chuckle at this because my son is very familiar with the Cyberchase series and was very serious about solving the problem of figuring out how old Harry really is. Ha!
And this is one of the things I like about the Cyberchase series, they encourage kids to think about math problems and solutions. I've always wanted to know more about how the series is developed and put together so I was excited to interview Sandra Sheppard, the Executive Producer of Cyberchase, a few days later.
Onica (MommyFactor): How did the team come up with the idea for the Cyberchase series? Can you share how you came up with the ideas for the different kids personalities?
Sandra Sheppard: Concepts for the show began over 1 decade ago. The team was conscience of how children respond to math. We also noticed that there was a gender and racial gap. We wanted to find a way engage kids with math concepts.
We were very purposeful in having a group of kids with diversity. We made event have 2 girls leads.
We also wanted to address the different learning needs of kids. Each child learns on different levels. Even in the show. But as a group the kids in the series all bring something to helped solve the problem in the episode. This helps kid relate and identify with the cyberspace gang. Kids see them as just regular kids like themselves instead of superheroes.
Onica (MommyFactor): How does the team work math problems into the episodes for the Cyberchase series?
Sandra Sheppard: There's a team of contend directors involved in math and science that work to come up with a hook to combine math and storytelling. We aim to have 1 main idea with supporting ideas within the episode. We try to look at clutters of math ideas and develop those.
We also review with teachers, academics, panels of experts and of course parents. It's a real team collaboration.
Onica (MommyFactor): Do you have any community involvement??
Sandra Sheppard: Yes. Lots! We have a partnership with companies like the YMCA and Girls Inc where we create math material for them to use with their kids. We also are part of after school programs, libraries and museums to provide hands on math related activities for kids.
It was great to speak with Sandra and learn more about the behind the scene working of this Emmy Award®-winning series. As you can read alot of work goes into making CYBERCHASE a great show for our kids. I'd say they're going a great job! Thank you CYBERCHASE team and PBS Kids!
To learn more, visit - www.pbskids.org/cyberchase
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21 Comments
I totally forgot about this show. Back when my boys were big into PBS, we watched it all the time and I liked it because they learned so much from it!
ReplyDeleteHave not heard of this show...sounds like an awesome one for my Little Peanut. One of her favorite shows already is Sid the Science Kid, and she's only one.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this show. It looks fun though.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it's going to be a really cute movie for kids! I've never seen the show.
ReplyDeleteWe were invited to that event, glad you had a good time! My oldest used to love that show!
ReplyDeleteI remember Cyberchase, my kids used to watch it when they were younger. How cool that they did a feature length film.
ReplyDeleteWasn't familiar with this show, I'll have to check it out and see if it is too rudimentary for my girls.
ReplyDeleteI bet the kids are going to love this program. It looks quite entertaining and I can see it drawing the kids in.
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool; I bet the kids will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an event my daughter would have loved to go to! She loves programs like this. I enjoy seeing the Behind the Scenes aspect of things like this too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun event. Very cool! Amber N
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to attend a pre screening event. I bet my kids would have loved to go!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome that you were able to bring your son to the event, what a great opportunity for him. I have not heard of this movie though I am pretty sure by the sounds of it my boys would like it.
ReplyDeleteHow great to have the Meet & Greet. I love experiences like this one!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe we missed this movie! Cyberchase is still popular around here.
ReplyDeleteWhy have I never heard about this? Sound like it is great and that was a great interview
ReplyDeleteThat's neat! Looks like the whole family enjoyed themselves!
ReplyDeleteThis movie looks really good! How awesome about the meet and greet!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this movie. I'll definitely try to catch it on Netflix.
ReplyDeleteThe Cyberchase movie looks really cute. Sounds like a fun event and I bet the Cyberchase for Real piece was great!
ReplyDeleteSeems like a great one! I have to see it too/.
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