16:1 - Education, Teaching, & Learning Taking Chances, Making Mistakes, & Getting Messy!
Education News Headline Roundup
- Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has leveled criticism at the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision just days after the 70th anniversary of the ruling. In his concurring opinion on a decision allowing South Carolina to keep using a congressional map that critics say discriminated against Black voters, Thomas this month argued that the Brown decision took a "boundless view of equitable remedies" and involved "extravagant uses of judicial power" to end racial segregation in schools.
- The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) announced its closure, attributing the decision partly to financial difficulties exacerbated by ongoing issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) system. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Education has pledged a comprehensive review of its financial aid office and the FAFSA process in response to widespread problems impacting students and institutions nationwide.
- A follow-up to a headline we first shared in February of this year: Harvard University’s “Institutional Voice” working group has concluded its work and recommended that Harvard leaders not “issue official statements about public matters that do not directly affect the university’s core function.”
Taking Chances, Making Mistakes, & Getting Messy
This week, 16:1 explores the origins of “The Magic School Bus,” the beloved children’s television series designed to engage young learners with scientific topics and other curious learning adventures. The franchise, which started as a children's book series written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen in 1986, emerged from Scholastic Co.’s vision of blending science with fiction. The franchise sold 93 million book copies worldwide, captivating young minds and paving the way for its evolution into a popular TV show.
From 1994 to 1997, "The Magic School Bus" brought science to life on PBS, with Ms. Frizzle, voiced by Lily Tomlin, leading her fourth-grade class on magical field trips. Each adventure, from exploring the solar system to journeying inside the human body, made complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for young learners. Today, the series continues to inspire through its presence on Netflix and has recently gotten a reboot, "The Magic School Bus Rides Again."
We discuss the show's pedagogical approach, its effective use of repetition to reinforce concepts, and its clever handling of creative liberties with science. We also share behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the animation and voice acting process, revealing the dedication to making the show both scientifically accurate and entertaining. Tune in to hear our personal reflections on favorite episodes and how "The Magic School Bus" has shaped our understanding of science.
Sources & Resources:
Clarence Thomas attacks Brown v. Board ruling amid 70th anniversary
22-807 Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP (05/23/2024)
Misrepresenting Justice Thomas on Brown | National Review
The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane
MLB Negro League stats leaderboard changes record book
Remembering 'Magic School Bus' Creator Joanna Cole : NPR
Ms. Frizzle creator leaves behind a legacy of learning | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
This School Year, Unleash Your Inner Ms. Frizzle - The New York Times
The Magic School Bus (TV series) - Wikipedia
The Magic School Bus "Behind the Scenes" (1996)
The Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System : Microsoft : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming