'Curious Conversations' podcast: Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl talk about the magic behind 'The Magic School Bus'
Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the enduring impact of “The Magic School Bus,” which is best known as a long-running educational television show for children. Wisnioski and Meindl shared the insights they’ve gained while working on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why the content worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment. The discussed the television show’s origins and the importance of the collaborative nature that led to its success.
Takeaways
“The Magic School Bus” is a multimedia enterprise, which began as a book and evolved into a television show, computer game series, and more.
The National Science Foundation's involvement shaped its educational focus by helping bring together experts from the entertainment and science communities.
It was the first fully animated show on the Public Broadcasting Station, had a lasting impact on viewers, and set a precedent for multimedia educational programming.
About Wisnioski and Meindl
Wisnioski is an associate professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society.
Meindl is an associate professor in Radford University’s School of Communication and a Ph.D. student in Virginia Tech’s Department of Science, Technology, and Society.
The pair are co-investigators on a National Science Foundation-supported research project aimed at understanding why “The Magic School Bus” worked and how it influenced the worlds of science, education, and entertainment
Learn more
What a magic school bus taught us about science education
Matthew Wisnioski Receives Faculty Outstanding Mentor Award
About the podcast
"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.