In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we sit down with Jill King from the Cartoon Network and Champika Fernando from the Scratch team to discuss why it is critical to be teaching STEM and coding skills to children of all ages.

Topics Discussed

• How is the Cartoon Network reaching students worldwide?
• Where can parents learn more about the Cartoon Network?
• What is Scratch and how can students learn coding and programming skills?
• Why is it important that we address the gender gap in STEM education?
• CSForAll Summit

About Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network is more than an animation station – it’s a technology-enabled multiplatform entertainment powerhouse that fosters kids’ creativity with engaging shows; mobile, online, console and VR games; toys; and even coding tutorials. Each of these platforms incorporates educational components that support Gen Z’s creativity in 24/7 environments through problem-solving, critical thinking and self-expression. A few examples:

• Cartoon Network launched Powerpuff Yourself in 2016 to celebrate the reboot of Powerpuff Girls, and in just a year, over 12 million fans have created custom avatars
• Since December 2015, kids have built and shared more than 20,000 animations, games and other creations through the We Bare Bears tutorial on MIT’s Scratch.
• Cartoon Network partnered with the NBA ahead of the 2017 All-Star Weekend in New Orleans for a 3-day mini-camp designed to inspire students to cultivate their storytelling abilities through creative coding.

Links of Interest

• http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/
• https://scratch.mit.edu/
• http://csforallconsortium.org/ – October 16-17 in St. Louis

About our GuestsJill King – Senior Vice President, Marketing and Partnerships for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and BoomerangBio:

Jill King is senior vice president, marketing and partnerships for Turner’s Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, as well as their digital brand extensions, including CartoonNetwork.com and AdultSwim.com. In this capacity, King oversees all aspects of consumer marketing for Cartoon Network and Boomerang along with strategic marketing partnerships, event marketing and trade marketing for the portfolio of youth and young adult-targeted networks.

She leads the development of innovations that leverage emerging technologies to engage audiences in new ways and offer advertisers first-to-market platforms in today’s dynamic digital environment. She is also instrumental in developing the flagship Adult Swim Upfront trade marketing strategies.

Social Accounts:

• Cartoon Network Twitter: @cartoonnetwork
• Cartoon Network PR Twitter: @cartoonnetPR
• Cartoon Network Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CartoonNetwork/

Champika Fernando – Director of Communications, ScratchBio:

Champika began her career as an engineer and designer. She's most passionate about supporting people using technology as a tool for self-expression and creativity. She's proud to be a part of the Scratch Team, supporting millions of children around the world as they create, share, and express themselves with code. Before the Scratch Team, Champika was at Google where she worked on creative platforms like Blogger, toolkits like Blockly, and outreach programs like Made with Code.

About Scratch

Scratch is a free online programming language and community for creating your own stories, games, and animations. Scratch is a project of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab.

Social Accounts:

• Scratch Twitter: @Scratch
• Scratch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scratchteam/
• Champika’s personal Twitter: @Champika_F