CBeebies Commissions New Preschool Science Show

LONDON: CBeebies has ordered the new comedy adventure Bitz & Bob, which seeks to teach preschoolers key principles about science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).

The 44×11-minute series is developed by CBeebies Productions and FremantleMedia Kids & Family as part of a five-year co-production partnership. It follows the animated antics of inventor and creator Bitz and her younger brother Bob, and is designed to encourage little ones to get creative and involved in crafting, engineering, experiments and exploration. The show is due out next year.

To complement the series, a short-form live-action companion show titled Bitz & Bob Let’s Make It will provide children with step-by-step ways to create objects shown in the main series.

Kay Benbow, the controller of CBeebies, said: “We always aim to inspire on CBeebies and I hope that Bitz & Bob will encourage a new generation of engineers. Bitz is a wonderful female role model, she is full of creative ideas and energy that will take our viewers on adventures that we know will fire their imaginations.”

Rick Glankler, the president and general manager of FremantleMedia Kids & Family, added: “The compelling stories we are creating in Bitz & Bob seamlessly integrate key aspects of STEAM into the series’ narrative to create artful solutions to engineering challenges. Whether they know it or not, kids are applying engineering principles on a daily basis, from creating paper planes to learning to ride a bike. This new show truly redefines what engineering means and our funny and ‘girlstrous’ lead character Bitz provides multiple fun and persuasive reasons to break down barriers and encourage young girls to get more involved.”