Series helps young viewers solve problems while using the practices of computer science
The series premiere of the new PBS KIDS animated preschool series Work It Out Wombats! will air on Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. on ETV-HD.
Work It Out Wombats! follows a playful trio of marsupial siblings – Malik, Zadie and Zeke– who live with their grandmother in a fantastical treehouse apartment complex called the Treeborhood. The residents of the Treeborhood– wombats, snakes, moose, kangaroos, iguanas, fish, tarsiers and eagles– bring varied skills, abilities, traditions, assorted ways of thinking and different family structures to this diverse and vibrant community of neighbors.
Each episode includes two 11-minute stories, accompanied by a 90-second music video, featuring the Wombats as they demonstrate computational thinking concepts that will help young viewers solve meaningful problems, learn flexible thinking and how to express themselves– all while using the practices and processes at the core of computer science.
In addition to broadcasting weekdays on ETV-HD, the series will also air weekdays at 9:30 a.m. on the ETV Kids channel and will be available to stream online at scetv.org/kids and in the SCETV App and PBS Kids App.
SCETV will host a screening event for Work It Out Wombats! on Monday, Feb. 6 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Kershaw County Library – Elgin Branch. For more information and how to attend the screening event, visit the Facebook Event page.
Work It Out Wombats! games will launch in tandem with the series on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Games App on Feb. 3. To extend the learning at home, parent and caregiver resources, including tips and hands-on activities, will be available on PBS KIDS for Parents. For educators, PBS LearningMedia will offer classroom-ready materials, including videos, games, teaching tips and printable activities.
Work It Out Wombats! is produced by GBH Kids and Pipeline Studios. Major funding for Work It Out Wombats! is provided by: a Ready To Learn Grant from the U.S. Department of Education; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American People; and public television viewers. Additional funding is provided by the National Science Foundation, the United Engineering Foundation and the GBH Kids Catalyst Fund.
View a teaser for Work It Out Wombats!
QUOTES
“Child development is about discovering the world around them. Their early learning is multifaceted and by providing programming that includes assorted ways of thinking and exploring curiosities, children have the chance to stimulate both their imagination and critical thinking.” –SCETV President and CEO Anthony Padgett
“Work it Out Wombats! is a show that builds children up by helping them break things down. We are excited about introducing South Carolina’s greatest treasures to the awesomely diverse Treeborhood and supporting the advancement of their computational thinking skills and confidence in self-expression.” –SCETV Chief Learning Officer Dr. Salandra Bowman
FAST FACTS
- Work It Out Wombats! premieres on Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. on ETV-HD.
- SCETV will host a premiere event on Monday, February 6 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the Kershaw County Library – Elgin Branch.
- Visit our Facebook Event page to attend the screening event.
- The series follows a playful trio of marsupial siblings who live with their grandmother in a fantastical treehouse apartment complex called the Treeborhood.
- New episodes will be available to stream online at scetv.org/kids and in the SCETV App.
- Work It Out Wombats! games will launch in tandem with the series on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Games App on Feb. 3.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirm that PBS’s premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math, and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on Twitter.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as Carolina Classrooms, Making It Grow and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including By The River, Expeditions, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in Practice and Live from Charleston Music Hall. In addition, SC Public Radio produces the national radio production, Chamber Music from Spoleto Festival USA.
Media Contact:
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org
(803) 737-3337
New PBS KIDS animated preschool series "Work It Out Wombats!" premieres February 6 on PBS KIDS (PDF)