PBS Kids Releases “Blob Chase” App from the Hit Series ODD SQUAD

PBS KIDS RELEASES FIRST APP FROM NEW SERIES ODD SQUAD

ODD SQUAD Blob Chase helps kids 5-8 practice math and problem-solving skills

Last week PBS KIDS  announced the release of Blob Chase, the first mobile app from its newest media property ODD SQUAD. Available for iPad, Android tablets and Fire tablet, ODD SQUAD Blob Chase extends the adventures and humor of the series, as kids chase and recover blobs that have escaped their containers and are on the loose in Odd Squad headquarters. The new app encourages kids to use math skills to investigate and solve problems, just as the agents do in the new series. ODD SQUAD, which premiered in November 2014, airs weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings) and offers games, videos and more at pbskids.org/oddsquad. The app debuts in tandem with an all-new on-air special: “Odd Squad Saves the World,” which premiered Monday, January 19, on PBS KIDS.  My daughter and I had a chance to preview this special and we both really enjoyed it!  I really like how the agents help make math fun and interesting and my daughter loves all the cool gadgets they use.

In fact, I had a chance to meet up with Agent Olive and Agent Otto and asked them what their favorite spy device is (per Kate’s request).  Agent Olive says she likes the Return Body-inator and Agent Otto says he likes the Pudding-inator.  You can check out this fun clip to see some of the cool gadgets the agents get to use on the show.

“PBS KIDS offers children connected educational media experiences across platforms,” said Sara DeWitt, Vice President, PBS KIDS Digital. “The Blob Chase App builds on one of ODD SQUAD’s episodes, in which a blob escapes and separates, and the agents have to work together to collect all the pieces. In the app, kids use math to solve this odd problem, extending what they have learned through watching the show by practicing the same skills in a mobile experience.”

The ODD SQUAD Blob Chase App includes 60 levels of gaming in which kids use math skills to get blobs across bridges, over walls, through tubes and eventually back into their containers. To discover which gadget will work best for each particular challenge, kids problem-solve using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

There is also a feature to watch videos of the agents at work.  Boy, it sure looks fun to work at their headquarters! And I love seeing Agent O and Agent Otto dance around.  In order to get to each level, you start at Level One and work your way up to all 60 levels.  After you complete a level you are told that you did “excellent work agent” or “outstanding work” and can move on to complete the next task.  I think this is a great app to help kids learn important math skills while having a good time helping out the agents!

ODD SQUAD is created by Tim McKeon (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Adventure Time, The Electric Company) and Adam Peltzman (The Electric Company, The Backyardigans, Wallykazam!) and produced by The Fred Rogers Company and Sinking Ship Entertainment. ODD SQUAD is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), as well as by the U.S. Department of Education through the Ready To Learn Initiative, a program that supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families.

The new app will be made available free to families in low-income communities through the PBS KIDS Mobile Learning Program. With the support of participating local public media stations, this national outreach effort provides free app download codes to help educators and families support children’s learning in Head Start centers, Title I schools and other community-based organizations.

Blob Chase is part of PBS KIDS’ ongoing commitment to using the power of media to help kids succeed in school and in life. The organization offers a variety of apps to help support children’s learning. More information on PBS KIDS apps is available at pbskids.org/apps.

Blob Chase is available for $0.99 for a limited time on the App Store for iPad or at www.AppStore.com/PBSKIDS. The app is also available for $0.99 for a limited time on Fire tablet on the Amazon Appstore: https://to.pbs.org/kidsappsamazon and Android tablets on Google Play: https://to.pbs.org/kidsappsplay.

Note: We are part of the PBS Kids VIP program and was provided with a code to preview this app but this does not affect our opinions in any way.

Good news agents!  We have an ODD SQUAD T-Shirt straight from their headquarters! Size Large. Good luck!

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