Research Guru
Posted:
Oct 15, 2007, 3:41 PM
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Cyberchase returns with "Digit's B-Day Surprise"
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Cybertip No. 78: Borgs aren't born like ordinary earthlies. Their special day is the first day they're booted up.
In "Digit's B-Day Surprise," which launches Cyberchase's sixth season, the Cyberchase kids inadvertently hurt the feelings of their favorite cyboid Digit while planning his surprise b-day party -- and a load of trouble ensues. Along the way, the Cyberchase kids and viewers learn all about friendship, best intentions gone awry and the "cool" ways evaporation works.
The new season of Cyberchase, the Emmy Award-winning adventure series, premieres Wednesday, November 7 on PBS Kids Go! (check local listings). Season 6 is themed "Math in Action," and focuses on ways to give kids some fun math and science experiences to try for themselves.
Cyberchase -- the only math-based series on American television -- aims to improve kids' problem-solving and math skills through thrilling cyberescapades driven by a different math concept.
What's in store for season six? The wild ride through cyberspace finds our heroes accomplishing everything from working magic with levers so they can rescue a sorcerer friend to measuring and building a bridge across eel-infested waters, and using numbers to score a high-stakes dance contest. The heroes use minds, not muscles, to overcome obstacles and danger everywhere.
Guest voices over the years have included Al Roker, Bebe Neuwirth, Jasmine Guy, Jane Curtin, Geoffrey Holder, Philip Bosco and Danica McKellar.
"Cyberchase usually focuses on action and adventure stories, but with 'Digit's B-Day Surprise,' we've added a new twist -- this is a strong emotional piece about friendship that we think kids will really relate to," said senior series producer Ellen Doherty.
In "Digit's B-Day Surprise," the kids pretend to forget Digit's big day. Without knowing about a hush-hush surprise party, the disappointed cyboid goes off on his own and runs into the vexatious villain Hacker (Christopher Lloyd), who tries to convince the dejected Digit (Gilbert Gottfried) he is his one true friend so he can reprogram him to
gain access to Motherboard.
Meanwhile, the kids have to cross a hot desert area transporting Digit's gift -- a large chocolate replica of Digit that has a melting point of 37 cyberdegrees. When the custom refrigerator cooling the sculpture breaks, they must use math (reading a thermometer to track temperature change) and science (when water evaporates, it takes heat with it) to keep the sculpture intact and make it to Digit's party in time to save him from Hacker's sinister scheme.
This show was inspired by the popularity of Cyberchase-themed birthday parties. Check out the Cyberchase Web site for a downloadable party kit full of ideas for fun activities, food, decorations and more.
Cyberchase For Real is a live-action segment found at the end of each animated episode. In "Harry Chills Out," Harry wilts in the heat during tennis, losing repeatedly to his obnoxious cousin Harley. After Harry realizes Harley is keeping cool using water from a spray bottle with a fan attached, Harry harnesses the power of evaporative cooling with a large sprinkler hose and three window fans, and defeats Harley without breaking a sweat.
Nearly 4.5 million viewers watch Cyberchase every week, and Cyberchase Online has more than a quarter of a million unique visitors each week. Cyberchase Online can be found at pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase.
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
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