FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Bunnie Strassner

  303-545-9955

 

‘FASCINATING LEARNING FACTORY’ FORMS TO

ATTACK THE CRISIS IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

 

Boulder, CO – March 2000 – Somewhere between cartoons, situation comedies and National Geographic-style documentaries lies a universe of possibilities for educational programming.   From the President of the United States, to classroom teachers and parents nationwide, there is an outcry for a stronger focus on education.  Science, history and other core subjects do not have to be boring, and innovative educators and program producers want the opportunity to use television and the Internet as a tool that can teach, as well as entertain.   Enter the Fascinating Learning Factory, a non-profit corporation.

 

An outstanding group of business and community leaders including experts in education, new technologies, business, production and broadcasting have formed the Fascinating Learning Factory to address the critical need for high quality educational programming.  

 

Reaching out to children of color, young females, and the traditional male audience, the "Learning Factory" is focusing on programs that will encourage a new generation of scientists, historians, artists, educators and civic leaders.  This expert team has instituted a nationwide search for content-heavy yet entertaining programs for age groups that have historically been underserved.    Children from 8 to 14 watch television and use the Web voraciously yet have little content of real value or interest available.

 

Joining forces to find, develop and help to produce educational programming for television and emerging high-technology delivery systems, this extraordinary Board of Directors includes:

Ø      David Grimm, Board President and Director of Communications for the Student Leadership Institute at the University of Colorado-Boulder

Ø      Bunnie Strassner, Executive Director and Managing Partner of Flashback Video Productions

Ø      Stan Garnett, President, Boulder Valley School Board and Attorney, Brownstein, Hyatt and Farber

Ø      Andre′ Pettigrew, VP Marketing, iBelay Venture Fund, former Cabinet Member, State of Colorado and business leader

Ø      Bahman Saless, CEO of Earthnet, Inc., Internet Service Provider and Professor of Physics, CU-Boulder

Ø      Miriam Birch, Emmy winning documentary writer/producer for National Geographic, Jacques Cousteau and others

Ø      Gary Grossman, Weller/Grossman Productions, Producer of quality programming for network, syndicated and cable television, including ‘Biography’

Ø      Norman H. Strassner, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flashback Video Productions

Ø      Bud Leonard, Treasurer, former Senior Producer/Director and Head of Media Production Services, University of Colorado-Boulder and partner, Flashback Video Productions

 

"As a mother and television producer", says Executive Director Bunnie Strassner, "I’ve been frustrated for years by the lack of high quality, educational programming for late elementary and middle school age students and the lack of will on the part of producers and networks to find and fund it.  The Learning Factory offers us an opportunity to seek out and deliver a steady stream of shows that will fill that void.  As long as television and computers serve as the nation's part time parents, we have a responsibility to ensure that something of value is available to be watched."

 

Adds Board President David Grimm, "We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality educational programming available in the country today. My children and all our children deserve the best and our nation’s parents should expect no less.   8 to 14 are the ages when children become attracted to potential future paths, whether it’s music or art … math, science or history.  With these programs we can help put that light in the eyes of our future leaders and innovators.”

 

The Fascinating Learning Factory’s Board of Directors has already approved three projects for which they are raising funds;

ü      Our Fascinating Earth, an innovative series on natural science that will air on the Public Television network. Using humor, music and true stories, OFE will bring earth and space science to 4^th to 8^th graders across the country.

ü      Hip Hop History, a magazine style series that will present historical events and biographical segments from all eras with contemporary music, exotic locations and well known guest hosts.

ü      Spirit Voices, a documentary that will preserve the oral histories of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe for future generations.

 

The Learning Factory has received their 501(c)(3) certification from the IRS effective October 30, 2000.

 

For more information, call Bunnie Strassner at 303-545-9955.

 

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