LICENSING NEWS

Pocket.watch and Ryan’s World collaborate with NASA

Published on: 21st July 2021

To promote STEM learning and space exploration, Ryan will interview astronauts on the International Space Station and visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab.

Premier kids and family entertainment company, Pocket.watch, and its franchise partner, Ryan’s World, have announced an in-flight downlink opportunity with NASA aimed at getting the next generation of young learners excited about STEM education and space exploration.

“Becoming a YouTuber today is as popular as becoming an astronaut was for previous generations,” explained Kerry Tucker, chief marketing and franchise officer of Pocket.watch, speaking of the unique opportunity.

Nine-year-old star of Ryan’s World, Ryan Kaji, will interview two astronauts currently living and working aboard the International Space Station – NASA’s Megan McArthur, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) astronaut, Akihiko Hoshide. The conversation will take place live on Thursday, July 22nd at 7:25 a.m. PDT. Ryan will also become the first kid YouTube creator to visit the full-scale engineering twin model of NASA’s Mars rover, Perseverance, and the Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, at the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, CA.

“Educational videos, including science experiments and history lessons, are a huge part of the content we produce for the Ryan’s World YouTube channel, so we’re excited for this opportunity of a lifetime with NASA to deliver more fun learning content that kids can look forward to,” said Shion Kaji, Ryan’s father and founder of the family’s production company Sunlight Entertainment. “We know a lot of kids look up to Ryan, so continuing to provide videos that spark new interest means so much to us.”

The interview with Megan McArthur, the pilot of NASA’s Crew-2 mission to the space station and Akihiko Hoshide, the third Japanese astronaut to walk in space, is designed to inspire the Artemis Generation. The current generation of children has been so deemed by NASA as that which will witness and be a part of the first woman and the first person of colour exploring the lunar south pole as part of the Artemis programme. As the space agency readies its programme, Pocket.watch and the Kaji family hope that the event will promote an interest in space exploration and technology among children in Ryan’s generation.

“We recognize Pocket.watch and Ryan’s World’s unique position to promote interest in science, technology and space exploration through this invaluable opportunity with NASA,” added Kerry Tucker. “We look forward to reigniting careers in STEM as NASA heads back to the moon and eventual journey outward to Mars.”

Ryan’s interview with the two astronauts will will stream live on NASA’s YouTube channel and the Ryan’s World YouTube channel. Content from the exclusive visit to JPL and footage of the interview will be available on the Ryan’s World YouTube channel, the Ryan & Friends OTT channel and the pocket.watch OTT network which spans many different platforms and services.

For more information on Pocket.watch’s roster of franchises and creators, and its premium slate of content, visit www.pocket.watch. For more information about NASA’s STEM programme, visit www.nasa.gov/stem.

 

RECENT ARTICLES

Easter treats … it’s the Easter Blog!

INDX Toy & Gift announces heritage theme for 2024 event

L.O.L. Surprise! has ‘smashing’ results with new campaign

Topps unveils giant Andy Robertson trading card mosaic

Hasbro Women Innovators of Play returns

International Day of Play to champion children’s right to play

Hot Wheels unveils Autism-friendly die cast car

Cobi sponsors We Have Ways Fest 2024

Pip and Posy come to life at Bandai Namco Cross Store

Ravensburger to distribute Othello