It’s 20 years and counting for Cyberchase, America’s longest-running math series for kids ages six to eight. The WNET Group’s Emmy-winning animated series that builds children’s math power and environmental literacy celebrates its 20th anniversary with new episodes and more this year. To mark the occasion, a special marathon of six Cyberchase episodes selected by fans airs during PBS KIDS Family Night, 21-23 January, 7-10 pm ET on the PBS KIDS channel. Then, season 13 kicks off 25 February, 7 to 9 pm ET on the PBS KIDS channel with the debut of four adventure-filled episodes. New interactive activities and resources that support the learning goals of the innovative series will also roll out on the Cyberchase website the same month.
The executive producer of Cyberchase and Kids’ media and education for The WNET Group Sandra Sheppard said, “Cyberchase engages young thinkers with exciting stories that explore important mathematics and environmental concepts and illustrate creative and collaborative problem-solving. We look forward to celebrating this special anniversary with kids and families nationwide and continuing our mission to educate and entertain our audience.”
Fans spoke and the Cyberchase team listened. The three-hour 20th anniversary marathon of the iconic series features classic episodes from past seasons, including the series’ first episode, Lost My Marbles, along with other beloved stories such as R-Fair City, Clock Like an Egyptian, Inside Hacker, and more. In addition, six special anniversary segments celebrating the show’s characters, content, and impact will air ahead of each episode.
Over the years, numerous celebrities have lent their voices to the series, including Matthew Broderick, Jane Curtin, Jasmine Guy, Tony Hawk, Marcus Samuelsson, Jaden Michael, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelly McCreary, Rico Rodriguez, Danica McKellar and Al Roker.
“I love playing The Hacker because he’s so self-important and yet so silly,” said Christopher Lloyd, who has been with the series from its inception and reprises his Emmy-nominated role in the new season. “I feel good about doing something for young people that is both imaginative and educational. When kids think through how the characters solve problems using logic and math, the solutions they come up with can be applied in their own lives as well. It’s been a wonderful experience to have a part in that.”
Season 13 of Cyberchase will premiere 10 new adventures during PBS KIDS Family Night, 7-9 pm ET on PBS KIDS, 25 February to 29 April in celebration of Arbor Day and in May. The new episodes find the intrepid heroes, Jackie, Matt, Inez, and Digit, tackling a variety of timely environmental topics – from light and water pollution, invasive species and coral reefs to sustainable design, transportation, biodiversity, and trees – using their math and problem-solving skills all along the way to save the day. Each episode will be accompanied by live-action epilogues, titled Cyberchase: For Real, that link the math and environmental concepts shown in the animation into the real world. A theme throughout the season is how the environment is interconnected, how one part can impact another, and how even small actions can lead to big changes.
PBS KIDS SVP and general manager Sara DeWitt said, “We’re thrilled to celebrate 20 years of Cyberchase on PBS KIDS. Kids across the country continue to connect with these characters, stories, and as a viewer noted, cool ways to do the math. We’re looking forward to more great content for families.”
Cyberchase also reaches kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers through interactive learning games, classroom and bilingual family activities, apps, text messaging, and community outreach. Cyberchase offers digital games for children with a wide range of abilities, including the brand-new Duck Dash, in which children use math skills on a high-flying migration adventure. In spring 2022, Cyberchase will continue its community outreach campaign, Green It Up, which brings kid-centered math and environmental science activities—from a photosynthesis experiment to DIY activities using recycled materials—to public television stations and partners across the country.
Cyberchase began in 2002 with a mathematics focus and quickly became one of the leading math-related brands in children’s media. More than 30 independent research studies have shown that Cyberchase viewers understand and remember the math content of the episodes they watch—plus they have a more positive attitude, more self-confidence, and more motivation towards mathematics and problem-solving than non-viewers.
Cyberchase is produced by The WNET Group. Sandra Sheppard is Executive Producer. Melinda Toporoff is a series producer. Funding for Cyberchase is provided by The JPB Foundation, EY, and Overdeck Family Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Lemberg Foundation, Epstein Teicher Philanthropies, the Tiger Baron Foundation, Dr. Shailaja, and Umesh Nagarkatte.
