NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASHBURN, VA (March 15, 2024)—JASON Learning, a non-profit organization committed to promoting equitable STEM education, has joined forces with Playwatch Kids, an edutainment platform that centers around diverse children’s content. This groundbreaking partnership will see JASON Learning hosting a vast array of Playwatch Kids’ content on the JASON Digital Platform while also collaborating to develop new, engaging, and inclusive educational material.
Known for captivating children’s attention with compelling narratives where every child is the hero, Playwatch Kids aims to inspire and stimulate young minds through exciting animated content with diverse characters, including My Friend T, Gabby Galactic, Chiu, Malar, Kembe, and more!
We are so excited to be in partnership with JASON Learning! Together we want to create safe, fun and engaging content. Together with JASON, we feel we can truly make a historical impact across the nation. Our goal is to allow every child of every race and background to see themselves for inspiration and self belief.
Jimmy Jenkins, Co-Founder of Playwatch Kids
While today’s student population is increasingly diverse, the diversity within educational content is not keeping pace. The availability gap of diverse and multicultural children’s content remains a pressing issue in today’s learning materials. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of representation and inclusivity in curricula and education, there continues to be a significant lack of curricula that reflect the rich tapestry of identities and experiences within society.
This gap not only limits children’s exposure to various perspectives and cultures but also hinders their ability to see themselves reflected in the content they consume. Students of color and students from low-income backgrounds continue to be underrepresented and underserved in educational settings. Addressing this gap is crucial in empowering children from all backgrounds to embrace their unique identities and fostering a more inclusive and understanding learning environment that meets the social, emotional, and academic needs of students.
Simply teaching about DEIA [Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility] is not enough. We must actively create STEM content that is inclusive and diverse. One of my favorite quotes is ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ [by Marian Wright Edelman]. Students must see people who look like them to give them a sense of value and belonging in STEM.
Dr. Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of JASON Learning
By integrating Playwatch Kids’ content into its platform, JASON Learning is poised to address this gap and enhance the accessibility of high-quality, representational STEM education for students nationwide. Several Playwatch Kids videos are currently featured on the JASON Digital Platform, and we expect to have an additional 50 videos with teacher guidance ready for access by June 2024.
Notably, this collaboration places a special emphasis on early childhood education, ensuring that our youngest learners see themselves reflected in the world of STEM. JASON, with the support of Playwatch Kids, is in the process of creating a new module for JASON’s Early Childhood STEM Program focused on the Science of Reading. This unit will delve into the essential components of early literacy, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
JASON Learning’s dedication to fostering inclusive STEM learning experiences is exemplified by its longstanding practice of incorporating diverse role models into its curriculum. This strategic alliance with Playwatch Kids underscores a shared commitment to promoting representation in STEM careers across all educational levels.
Together, Playwatch Kids and JASON Learning are set to redefine educational content delivery. This partnership marks a significant step towards creating a more diverse and equitable learning environment for future generations.
###
About JASON Learning
JASON Learning is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through real-world STEM curricula, project-based learning experiences for PreK-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON’s mission is to “inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.” To learn more about JASON, visit https://jason.org/.
JASON Media Contact: Jenna Davis, jdavis@jason.org.
About Playwatch Kids
PLAYWATCH KIDS is a streaming content service that provides educational and fun children’s content that centers on ethnic and culturally diverse characters.
