Here at Science Sparks, we’re big fans of anything that encourages children to develop an interest in STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths ) subjects. Sesame Street Mecha Builders is a new 3D animated series featuring much-loved Sesame Street characters reimaged as robot heroes with STEM superpowers. It’s a great concept, and we can’t wait to watch more episodes. The series aims to help older pre-schoolers practice and learn important foundational critical thinking skills while enjoying Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby solve problems in an often hilarious and always entertaining way.
My five-year-old really enjoyed watching the preview episode we were sent to watch in advance, and I’ll definitely use it as inspiration for learning activities we can do together, too! One episode features launching a rocket, which would lead nicely into making and launching mini bottle rockets, for example. Another episode features melting ice cream, which links beautifully into an ice investigation.
The Sesame Street characters get themselves into all sorts of sticky situations, and using their special powers, gadgets and teamwork and perseverance, they introduce children to important STEM concepts such as simple machines, forces and properties of matter. The characters are loveable, kind and funny with big imaginations, just perfect for inspiring the next generation of STEM enthusiasts!
Mecha Elmo has lots of gadgets, but not all are as useful as you might think, leading to many hilarious moments. Elmo’s Rollie Things on his feet are especially inventive, and our favourite of his tools and gadgets is the bubble wand!
Mecha Abby has super strong and super stretchy arms, and Mecha Cookie has a hammer hand, googly vision and bouncy springs.
The series is set in three different locations, which provide the setting for various problems that need solving by the robot heroes. The big and bustling Pretty Big City has a melting slide and magnet problem. Treetop Woods provides the setting for a runaway train, a ravine to cross and lots of other adventures. Sunny Field Farm is home to a rocket launch gone wrong, a maize maze that needs a map and a windmill with no power! The series even features a space station. I love that a lot of the situations have a real world problem link allowing the show to introduce children to complicated scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way.
I can’t think of a more exciting way to learn about friction, for example, than imagining a super duper sled slide and watching the Mecha Builders use chicken feed to slow down the sleds! I won’t give too much more away, but if you’ve got a 3-5 year old, Mecha Builders is definitely a great show to watch!
“Plan it, test it, solve it!” There’s no problem too small or too big for the Mecha Builders, and they never give up!
Sesame Street Mecha Builders, the first fully animated Sesame Street spinoff series, has been acquired by Channel 5’s Milkshake!
Try the activities
After you’ve watched the show, give one of these easy science activities a go. Make super sand, have an ice melting race or try a float and sink investigation.
Catch Mecha Builders on Channel 5’s Milkshake now!
Post in collaboration with Sesame Workshop
Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Emma Vanstone
