Today at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, PBS KIDS announced Work It Out Wombats!, a new animated series for kids ages 3-6 from GBH Kids and Pipeline Studios and set to premiere in early 2023.
The 2D show stars Malik, Zadie and Zeke, three energetic and creative marsupial siblings who live with their grandmother in her treehouse apartment complex. The playful trio will demonstrate computational thinking (CT) for preschoolers, a way of thinking that enables them to solve problems, express themselves and accomplish tasks using the practices, processes and ideas at the core of computer science.
“Like most preschoolers, Malik, Zadie and Zeke are curious and naturally inclined to explore the world around them,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “We’re excited to bring the Wombats and all their fun adventures to kids across the country, inspiring them to work with others to solve problems and tackle challenges.”
Work It Out Wombats! takes place in the Treeborhood, the biggest treehouse in existence complete with secret passageways, gondolas and rope swings. The residents of the Treeborhood — wombats, snakes, moose, kangaroos, iguanas, fish, tarsiers and eagles — bring varied skills and abilities, assorted ways of thinking and different family structures and traditions to this diverse and vibrant community of neighbors, a place where even the adults join in the play.
In each story, the Wombats demonstrate computational thinking for preschoolers, learning as they go. Their aspirations will sometimes exceed their proficiency. But, eventually they’ll stop, take a breath, put their heads together and figure out a fix — using the design process, sequencing, debugging and other key elements of computational thinking.
“Preschoolers are passionate about achieving their goals, but they don’t always know the best way to go about meeting them,” said Marcy Gunther and Marisa Wolsky, Executive Producers, GBH Kids. “By using computational thinking, they have a powerful toolkit for self-expression, for building projects, and for getting out of messes.”
“Our goal with Work It Out Wombats! is to empower our creative talent and artists to seamlessly blend education and entertainment as they bring the adventures, surprises, mysteries, and hilarious mess-ups of the Wombats and their friends and neighbors to life,” said Luis Lopez, Executive Producer, Pipeline Studios.
Full of boundless energy, Malik, Zadie and Zeke run, bounce, roll and romp, always on the lookout for interesting Treeborhood problems to solve. Malik is thoughtful, considerate, and sometimes set in his ways (which can be a good thing when you’re problem-solving). His speedy, adventurous younger sister, Zadie, is a brainstormer extraordinaire, with ideas that range from silly to very smart. Zeke is the youngest — a funny, curious cuddle-bug who loves to play and explore. Super, their grandmother, is the Superintendent and unofficial “Mayor” of the Treeborhood — the de facto heart and soul of the place.
With the fantastical animal world of Work It Out Wombats!, the GBH and Pipeline Studios teams have been deliberate in taking an inclusive and authentic approach to telling stories. Leading this effort are Darlene Mortel Edouard, Ph.D. and Kareem Edouard, Ph.D, who serve as the Creative Producers of the series and have expertise in cultural and visual studies, intersectionality and STEM engagement from communities underrepresented in STEM fields.
“Work It Out Wombats! introduces problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration to young learners in a fun and age-appropriate way, helping children get excited about learning and laying important groundwork for success in school and life,” said Debra Tica Sanchez, Senior Vice President, Educational Media and Learning Experiences, Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
The series is being developed as part of the CPB and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The Ready To Learn Initiative is a federal program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Games themed to the show will launch in tandem on pbskids.org and the free PBS KIDS Games App, along with at home learning resources at PBS KIDS for Parents and classroom materials at PBS LearningMedia.
