REDMOND, Wash., April 29, 1999 — Several classrooms of third-graders trekked around the world today, exploring animals in their diverse habitats, thanks to a new CD-ROM from Microsoft Corp. that sends kids on a virtual odyssey into the amazing world of animals.
Microsoft celebrated the national launch of
”
Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus
™Explores the World of Animals,”
the newest CD-ROM in the acclaimed
“Magic School Bus”
science series, by hosting a special day at the Los Angeles Zoo with third-graders as the guests of honor.
As part of the activities, third-graders from Los Angeles’ Allesandro Elementary School watched science come to life as they ventured through on-screen animal treks with
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
software and enjoyed a show-and-tell with the zoo’s education curator, Cindy Wallace. Ten-year-old movie star Alex D. Linz (
“One Fine Day,” “Tarzan”
) joined the kids on the multimedia field trip.
“Besides celebrating children’s special relationships with animals, today’s event spotlights how ‘Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals’ uses rich, age-appropriate content to make science fun and exciting,”
said Jaynie Miller, kids product manager at Microsoft.
“Our goal is to encourage girls and boys to carry their interest in science and technology away from the PC into their everyday lives.”
Experience the Magic
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals”
is the seventh title in the award-winning
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
CD-ROM science series for kids ages 6-10.
Based on the best-selling book series and hit television show produced by Scholastic Entertainment Inc., the latest adventure takes kids on a fascinating multimedia field trip to animal habitats around the globe with science teacher extraordinaire Ms. Frizzle and her inquisitive class.
“The earlier we begin teaching children about the wonders science has to offer through interaction with their environment, animals and technology, the more we encourage them to develop a love of scientific exploration and discovery throughout their lives,”
said Pam Meisner, educator for the San Diego Natural History Museum.
“The engaging science reports, habitat exploration and hunts for lost animals featured in the latest CD-ROM provide the perfect adventure for budding scientists.”
In conjunction with today’s launch, Microsoft donated 500 copies of a combination of
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
software titles to the Los Angeles Zoo for use in its educational outreach programs to schools and other educational groups. Titles included
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals,” “Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the Rainforest”
and
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the Ocean.”
The
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
software title was ranked No. 1 as
“used most often”
by teachers and students in support of the science curriculum (Education Market Research, 1997) and has captured many other awards and distinctions, including the Software & Information Industry Association Codie award for Best Elementary Educational titles, the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, the FamilyPC Family Tested Software Recommended Seal in the education category and the Canadian Toy Testing Council’s Best Bet Award.
Pricing and Availability
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores the World of Animals”
is scheduled to be available at the end of April 1999 from retailers nationwide for an estimated retail price of $19.95. To learn more about the
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
CD-ROM series, kids can refer to http://www.microsoft.com/kids/ . Educators can find fun lesson plans and activities to use in class on the Microsoft
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/education/curric/msb_animals/ .
Scholastic Entertainment (SE) is a leading producer of quality, family-oriented television programming, feature films and videos, and a major licensor and marketer of children’s properties worldwide. Scholastic Entertainment produces
“Goosebumps® ,”
the top-rated award-winning children’s TV show (Fox Kids);
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus,”
the top-rated, Emmy-award-winning series starring Lily Tomlin (Fox Kids);
”
Animorphs
™” (Nickelodeon); Scholastic’s Clifford the Big Red Dog
™
(in development); and critically acclaimed feature films
”
The Baby-Sitters Club
™,” “The Indian in the Cupboard”
and
“The Mighty.”
SE is the entertainment and media division of Scholastic Corp., a global children’s publishing and media company with a reputation for quality education. More information about
“Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus”
is available at http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Scholastic, The Magic School Bus, Animorphs and The Baby-Sitters Club are trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
Clifford the Big Red Dog is a trademark of Norman Bridwell.
Goosebumps is a trademark of Parachute Press Inc.
Based on The Magic School Bus book series
©Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
