BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Public Television , Alegra Entertainment and Putnam Stern Enterprises announced today the distribution deal for children's animated science show Bug Bites for the U.S. market. The 26-half-hour episodes will be released in January 2016. (Check local listings).
Bug Bites , hosted by real-life entomologist Adam Lazarus and animated character Gilbert the Roach , mixes distinctive animation; live actors, pop culture and an engaging take on entomology that speaks to the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) crisis in American education.
"The National Science Foundation ranks US students at 23rd in the world in science and 31st in math," said Lazarus. "We created Bug Bites to make a difference in the way kids see these dynamic subjects—the subjects that lead to careers that can really change the world."
If bugs are the new dinosaurs, the fact that everyone interacts with them everyday makes them the perfect vehicle to train young minds to think scientifically. Bug Bites also teaches about teamwork, acceptance, healthy eating, conservation and friendship.
Working with education experts from day one, Bug Bites has focused on improving how kids learn from shows they watch. Created by Adam Lazarus and Topher Putnam , the show puts tremendous effort into 'Layered Learning', an innovative process for stacking information streams of varied sophistication into every show. The result is a program that can simultaneously engage a four year old, a nine year old and their caretaker, all while allowing the audience to grow with Bug Bites — episodes yield new knowledge with every viewing.
The STEM-focused approach is fully supported by Bug Bites ' cross-disciplinary content, which is built around the 5E Instructional Model and the Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures. It's compatible with both Common Core and the newer Next Generation Science Standards (and Bug Bites supports teachers with downloadable documentation).
Meanwhile, it's also fun and games. Our animated insect hosts and our talented actors bring all this science to life in a way that is engaging, memorable and unique.
"The confusion over how to catch our kids up on STEM is at a crisis level right now," said Jeff Stern, CEO of Alegra Entertainment and Putnam Stern Enterprises. " Bug Bites speaks to that issue and hopes to offer a solution in closing the gap in our children's learning."
For photos, clips and more information contact Owen Phillips at owentphillips@gmail.com or 310-383-4991 About Alegra Entertainment
Alegra Entertainment specializes in creating original content (new media, TV and feature films) for distribution across all platforms, both digital and traditional. Alegra's aggressive stance on innovation and technology in these rapidly changing markets is balanced by its team's ability to develop and produce entertainment of the highest quality. About Putnam Stern Enterprises
Putnam Stern Enterprises (PSE) is an animation company that combines compelling storytelling with engaging characters and a unique, eye-catching animation style. PSE has a special focus on stories that empower children to want to learn about Science, Technology and Math (STEM). Its first animated series, Bug Bites, uses the world of insects to teach children about the scientific method, general science history and techniques and, of course, bugs. Bug Bites will begin airing in the United States in early 2016, distributed by American Public Television.
American Public Television
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation's public television stations since 1961. For 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U. S. Among its 300 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children's series and classic movies. America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated, Rick Steves' Europe, Front and Center, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, Vera, NHK Newsline, Lidia's Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith's Garden Home join numerous documentaries and performance programs popular with public television viewers. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Now in its 10th year, Create® TV — featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming — is distributed by APT. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television's premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org .
For photos, clips and more information contact Owen Phillips at owentphillips@gmail.com or 310-383-4991
