Where do superheroes attend elementary school? Kids can find out with a new animated series called Hero Elementary, which premieres on PBS Kids today.
Hero Elementary showcases a diverse group of superheroes-in-training who work together to help people, solve problems, and try to make the world a better place. The show is suitable for kids ages 4-7 and encourages viewers to explore their natural curiosity by thinking and acting like scientists. Hero Elementary is the school in the show, where kids learn how to master their powers with the help of science — including the skills of investigation, observation, making predictions, and figuring out solutions.
The “Sparks’ Crew” in the series includes Lucita Sky, an empathetic leader with the power to fly — and a fear of heights; AJ Gadgets, an autistic superhero who has the ability of thought projection and creating super-gadgets; Sara Snap, who’s tiny, but mighty, with super strength and the power to teleport; and Benny Bubbles, a loyal and protective animal lover who can create bubbles that double as force fields. Lucita Sky and Mr. Sparks the teacher are also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. Last, but certainly not least, is Fur Blur, the class hamster with an epic appetite and super-speed.
Each episode includes two animated 11-minute stories that address important components of kids’ education. The series is premiering today on PBS stations, the PBS Kids 24/7 channel, and PBS Kids digital platforms. Families can expand the Hero Elementary universe with games based on the show, available on pbskids.org and on the free PBS Kids Games app. A collection of Hero Elementary parent and educator resources will be available on PBS Kids for Parents and PBS LearningMedia.
The series is funded by a Ready To Learn grant 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 for preschool and early elementary school kids and their families.
