Run, jump and play your way through Sesame Street Presents: The Body

TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? It's easy! Simply visit Sesame Street Presents: The Body opening today at the Ontario Science Centre. From big, squishy noses to fuzzy, furry feet, this exhibition allows children to learn about the human body from the inside out. Sesame Street Presents: The Body will be at the Ontario Science Centre from January 28 to May 5, 2014 and is free with general admission.

"Sesame Street Presents: The Body exemplifies our approach of lifelong learning through play and discovery," said Lesley Lewis, CEO, Ontario Science Centre. "Children need to learn about their bodies just as much as they need to learn their ABCs and 123s, and they're able to explore this interactive exhibition with their senses by touching, seeing and listening. This exhibition perfectly complements the Science Centre's new permanent exhibition, The AstraZeneca Human Edge which explores the wonders and possibilities of the human body."

Created by Sesame Workshop and Thinkwell Group, Sesame Street Presents: The Body offers an engaging, free-flowing learning experience set in the fun, familiar and reassuring world of Sesame Street. The loveable Sesame Street Muppets anchor an exciting collection of interactive multimedia experiences that allow children to study the human body and learn how to keep it healthy. Each exhibit area has multiple activities to provide exciting, age-appropriate learning opportunities for children at a variety of developmental levels. The exhibition emphasizes scientific investigation and developmental learning goals for children ranging from two to eight years old.

"Sesame Street Presents: The Body is an amazing educational attraction," says Joe Zenas, CEO, Thinkwell Group. "It is a hands-on, interactive learning experience that uses Sesame Street and its incredible cast of characters to deliver real science and education in wildly kinetic, imaginative and unforgettable ways."

"Each component of Sesame Street Presents: The Body is geared toward children's natural excitement about learning," added Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, Vice President, Education and Research, Sesame Workshop. "We believe that children learn best through active participation and self-discovery. The exhibition features a wide range of opportunities for children to observe, investigate, experiment and talk about what they are learning with their parent or caregiver. Thinkwell has done a superb job of incorporating our content and characters with their design."

Sesame Street Presents: The Body features three different education zones related to the human body:

Your Insides – "Your Insides" is an exploration of what goes on inside the body. Activities include the "Count's Organ Organ," which musically teaches kids about their internal organs' locations and functions; "Digestion with Oscar," a display that shows kids what happens to food when they eat it; and "Oscar's Sneeze Machine," where children pull a lever to irritate a big nose that actually sneezes on them! Your Outsides – Children learn to identify different body parts, learn what they do, and explore the many ways they can put them to use. Exhibits include "Your Wonderful Hands," featuring puzzles, sign language games, shadow puppets and more; "Your Legs and Feet," an interactive exhibit that shows what happens when you put your legs in motion, and "Your Amazing Body," an interactive video game where children choose the correct body part based on clues from Ernie and Bert. Staying Healthy – Whether you are exercising, playing, dancing or even sleeping, your body is always hard at work. Learn how staying clean, eating healthy foods, and getting plenty of physical activity as well as sleep can help the body stay healthy. Ernie and Rubber Ducky get kids started in "Rub-A-Dub Tub," a silly game that shows them just how much fun staying clean can be. Then it's on to "Mr. Hooper's Store," where children scan groceries and learn specific messages about how different healthy meals are good for their bodies and " Baby Bear's Mini Mart," a toddler-sized activity area where children can stock up on a variety of colorful, healthy foods. And kids can put their bodies to the test in "Rosita's Locomotion," where they learn how the heart and different muscles work while pumping, rowing or running.

There is an online component that allows children and their adult caregivers to further explore and learn about the subject at hand. The web site, www.sesamestreetpresents.org, is designed so that children and adult caregivers can explore the exhibition prior to their visit and caregivers can download guides and educational material.

For information about tickets, visit www.ontariosciencecentre.ca.

About the Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre delights, informs and challenges the communities we serve, enriching people's lives and understanding through engagement with science of local, national and global relevance. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed over 47 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Please visit us at OntarioScienceCentre.ca.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the non-profit educational organization that revolutionized children's television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 140 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company and Pinky Dinky Doo. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.

About Thinkwell

From blank page to opening day, Thinkwell specializes in the creation of story-driven exhibits, attractions, live shows and environments. Their clientele is made up of museums, theme parks, Fortune 500 companies and destination resorts, including the Museum of Science and Industry, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Sesame Workshop, Universal Studios, DreamWorks SKG, Warner Bros., and others. Overall Thinkwell takes a holistic approach to design, bringing years of experience in design, education, operations, and marketing to create unique, immersive experiences that both entertain and educate. For more information, please visit www.thinkwellgroup.com.

For images and video, please visit: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/Media/ImagesVideo

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SOURCE Ontario Science Centre