PBS Series Called Magic Bus on Science

NY Times, "PBS Series On Science Departs for the World of 'X-Men', Nov., 29, 1997

Clement Pisnoy - Summary

The article is about a PBS animated science show called "The Magic School Bus", which has been sold to the Fox network. Ms. Frizzle, the protagonist of the show guides children, usually under 12, with a targeted goal of preventing them from being turned off to science as they progress through elementary school. The TV series is based on the Scholastic books by the same title, which were first published in 1986. The shows are partly funded by the National Science Foundation. Deborah Forte, senior vice president of Scholastic Inc., said "After we did the books we wanted to reach a broader audience, and there were a lot of naysayers...They said, 'You can't possibly teach science animation,' but we did. PBS believed in it, and it turned out that not only kids but teachers and parents really love this show." Ms. Forte also stated that the show was addressing children's losing interest in science after the second or third grade.
All broadcast TV stations must comply with a mandatory 3 hour educational TV mandate in order for the network to receive their license for free.