New Preschool Animated Series Space Racers Will Premiere in Spring 2014

Maryland Public Television Serves as National Presenting Station for American Public Television-Distributed Production

Series Features Segments Produced in Collaboration with NASA Experts  

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maryland Public Television (MPT) will be the presenting station for the new, original half-hour preschool series Space Racers.  The 26-episode animated program focuses on science and technology components as part of an early childhood STEM curriculum, with input from NASA experts on science and space technology within the series. Produced by Space Race, LLC, Space Racers is scheduled to premiere on public television stations in spring 2014 and is distributed through American Public Television.

Space Racers stars spaceships Eagle, Hawk, Robyn, Starling, and Raven along with their fellow cadets and teachers at the Stardust Space Academy.   Each has a distinctive ability: Eagle, the natural leader of the group, has unrivaled speed and agility; Hawk touts incredible strength and a near-perfect memory; Robyn has the sharpest mind and is the group's scientist; Starling is small but braver than ships twice her size; Raven combines cunning with unrelenting competitiveness; and the wise and enigmatic Headmaster Crane guides these eager cadets on their missions throughout the Solar System.  Space Racers teaches kids about exploration, investigation, observation, and how to work together as a team.

The team behind Space Racers includes Creator and Executive Producer Richard Schweiger, Director Mark Risley (Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys) and Head Writer Allan Neuwirth (The Octonauts).   Stunning computer-generated imagery plus real space sounds and images bring the world of the Space Racers vividly to life.  MPT is a production partner for live-action non-animated interstitial segments where children experience hands-on exploration of teachable moments from Space Racers episodes with NASA experts at diverse locations such as NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and the Maryland Science Center.

"MPT is very proud to present Space Racers to Public Television Stations," MPT Chief Content Officer Steven Schupak explained, "Aside from offering great animation and storytelling, the series introduces meaningful science and technology lessons to our youngest viewers – which remains an important part of our mission."

"Five years ago at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington the concept of Space Racers came to light," added Richard Schweiger, Creator and Executive Producer.  "Today we are proud to work with the amazing team at MPT and so fortunate to have NASA assisting us in various areas of the project."

Viewers that would enjoy seeing this series in their area are encouraged to contact their local Public Television Station to express interest in Space Racers.

Public TV stations can be located through the online station finder at this web link: http://www.pbs.org/about/faq/station-finder/station.

About Space Race, LLC

Founded in 2010 Space Race, LLC is based in New York specializing in children's programming and educational entertainment. Space Race, LLC aims to provide high-quality kids content for television, websites, gaming activities, and educational curricula. 

About MPT

Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).  MPT's six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia.  Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows.  Beyond broadcast, MPT's commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is manifest in its year-round instructional events and super-website Thinkport which garners in excess of 1.4 million visits annually. 

About APT

Each year, Boston-based American Public Television (APT) — a leading distributor of programming to America's public television stations — distributes nearly 300 new documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramas, lifestyle series and classic movies.

SOURCE Maryland Public Television