On Saturday morning the closing Plenary featured the presentation of the Great Friends to Kids Award given to the Jim Henson Company. Most people my age can tell you where they were when they heard John Lennon died; I can tell you where I was when I heard of Jim Henson’s untimely death. I have been a fan since Rowlf the dog appeared on the Danny Kaye Show. Rowlf played piano and had a crush on Lassie.
Lisa Henson accepted the award on behalf of her family and the company which she and her four siblings now run. She described her father as an innovator in technology and explained how he used the television screen and the proscenium for his puppets so they spoke directly to the audience and appeared more “real”. They blend great storytelling with wonderful characters. Although there were no film clips of Rowlf we were treated to an early black & white clip of Kermit as well as samples of some of their ground-breaking developments and more recent shows like Sid the Science Kid. Of course she also talked about Sesame Street which really brought television and learning into a great learning partnership. Also a great marketing partnership in my opinion.
The Plenary session ended with Sarah Orleans of the Portland Children’s Museum inviting us to Interactivity 2012 “The Wonder of Learning”. This rose city has more coffee houses and microbreweries than any other in the country. We all went home with a little bag of coffee but oddly enough no samples of the microbrews. ;-)
Portland eh? When we went there (while visiting PLA), they were saying that the next CM conference was between them and San Jose so it looks like they won.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice museum (although not huge as I remember) and the staff were great!
RK
Day 3 – Saturday, May 21
ReplyDeleteLisa Henson
9 – 10:30
Short version:
I'm going to piggy back on yours Renee rather than start a whole new one. I agree Renee - I love the muppets and Jim Henson’s work! Labrynth is legendary in our house!
It was a real treat and honor to be able to meet his daughter and see the amazing, revolutionary, things he has done. My favorite is still Dr. Chen. But I can see the link between all the speakers and the connection of innovation, creativity, and technology.
What was fantastic was seeing early footage of a Kermit skit and a sock puppet in a bit about jazz. Hilarious. I had no idea how forward thinking Jim Henson was - being the first to put puppets in the frame - using tv as stage. The animitronics, 3d filming and computer animation. Very cool.
We also got a major plug for sid the science kid (which I do want to watch now) and dinosaur train. What was scary was hearing that PBS is the sole resource for educational programming for children on tv. Yikes!
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Notes / Long Version:
ACM asked speakers to provide electronic presentation on site. Members only section.
Let’s move – museum and gardens (good to grow 2005) – this initiative/partnership pairs with Michelle Obama
Susan Hildreth (concepts, values, initiative, partnership, toolkit) – IMLS primary source for 123,000 libraries 17,500 museums funding, Sustain heritage knowledge culture.
Early childhood, empower caregivers, increase physical activity,
Julia Bland member of IMLS board, Jeff Plachon. Went to Houston – loved, political leaders, policy leaders, understand value they have.
AAM, ACM, Janet Elman and ACM – First lady Michelle Obama Let’s Move Gardens is officially part of let’s move campaign – fight obesity physically active, exhibits, page on IMLS website – learn how to me a let’s move museum.
Incorporate nutritious foods activities, extend learning zones into cafeterias, families exercise together
Great Friends Kids Award:
50 emmys, 9 grammys – Jim Henson figured out to raise puppets up into the frame (no more stage)
1969 – PBS sesame street – television could be used to teach kids (strong connection to kids and jingles)
No longer asking if they learn from media, ask what are they learning
Storytelling, teach technology, puppeteers (robitic / animitronic allows characters to do what they could never do before)
Imagine what you could do –Jim Henson Company
Jim was an artist – with dedication, passion – led him in to all types of media. Computer animation / 3d movies
Pitch show 1990 – new different kinds of television, 3 guys and a handycam
Show how puppet create screen computer animation puppet (used to take 120 hours)
Sid Science Kid, Dinosaur Train – excite preschoolers about science, 3 to 6 years old, preschool pathways to science (through real world they encounter every day) Why do popsicles melt? Why banana turn brown? Science tools & measurements, light and shadows, physics, environmental topics
• Take advantage of teachable moments
Created a science center on the show, California science center. Promote on show and in handouts and website. Museums are tying in their activities with their show.
10,000 came to sid science kid day at CA science center
Dinosaur train - Hypothesis, kids model scientific inquiry, get outside get into nature and make your own discoveries. Nature trackers club, kids go out and experience nature directly, Sense of play is reward for inviting more nature into their lives. If we do not educate and inspire children about environment – how can we expect them to care about plants and animals.
I believe we can use television and media for good, shape thoughts in a positive way.