FINDING STUFF OUT ANSWERS KIDS’ BIG QUESTIONS

Knowledge Network’s new series hosted by B.C. teenager Harrison Houde

– New series finds out about solar power, magic and why we need to eat –

Montreal, QC (June 28) – Do plants think? Why do babies poop so much? Apartment 11 Productions’ Finding Stuff Out is coming to Knowledge Network this summer to answer some of Canadian kids’ biggest questions. The groundbreaking television series offers a scientific adventure that children and their parents can enjoy together.

Finding Stuff Out premieres on B.C.’s Knowledge Network on Saturday July 6^th and Sunday, July 7^th at 11:30 a.m. PT. Two original episodes will air per week leading up to the season finale on Saturday, August 17.

The world around us is full of riddles, but only Harrison has the energy and smarts to get to the bottom of things. In this series, Harrison will chase down the answers, and recruit fellow kids to help him in his investigations. No question is too difficult – or too wacky – for Harrison and company. Finding Stuff Out combines humour, science and intelligence to find out if the truth is out there – and always has a lot of fun on the road to discovery.

The show’s host, Harrison, is a Vancouver Island teen who has been involved in music and film since he was 4 years old. He has written 12 songs for Finding Stuff Out, and has appeared in movies such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010), and on TV inThe Fairly Odd Parents (2011) and Untold Stories of the E.R. (2010).

“Finding Stuff Out is full of many surprises that you do not want to miss,” says host Harrison Houde.

“Finding Stuff Out makes learning about science fun,” says Michele Paris, Senior Program Manager of Knowledge Kids. “We’re proud to have a homegrown host in Harrison. We know his inquisitive mind and creativity will inspire other kids around B.C. to explore the world around them.”

Finding Stuff Out’s will also take Harrison and his viewers into the mobile space on Android and iOS platforms. Part science reference tutor and part interactive experiment, FSO‘s mobile app will engage viewers with science facts and entertainment wherever they go. Kids will piece together machines and apparatuses on their mobile device and then finally set them in motion. The free app is available for download at Google Play and the App Store.

Finding Stuff Out Broadcast Schedule

• Saturday, July 6, 11:30 a.m. – Structures
  
  The Big Question: “Why when I build my castle tall, it always falls down?”
  Synopsis: Structures are things that we build, that make life easier, like a house or a bridge. Harrison finds out how animals have been building structures for millions of years, as well as the best way to build structures, to keep them strong and sturdy, and realizes that humans could learn a lot from beavers.
• Sunday, July 7, 11:30 a.m. -Food and Nutrition

The Big Question: “Why do we have to eat?”
Synopsis: Harrison learns how good, healthy food helps us grow big and strong and smart, why foods taste different between boys and girls, and which junk foods disguise themselves to pretend that they’re healthy. Yummy?? Bacon-flavoured popcorn is on the menu, washed down with onion soda. Harrison visits a company that makes flavours and creates some weird ones for Harrison to share.

• Saturday, July 13, 11:30 a.m. – Sun

The Big Question: “ Why can’t everything be solar powered?”
Synopsis: Harrison takes a close look at the biggest star in our solar system – the sun, and learns that everything DOES run (at least indirectly) on solar power. Without the sun, human beings wouldn’t… and couldn’t, be here! Harrison takes a solar-powered boat cruise with its inventor.

• Sunday, July 14, 11:30 a.m. – Growth

The Big Question: “What would happen if you never cut your fingernails? Would they grow forever?”
Synopsis: Every living creature that is born grows up. But HOW do they grow, and WHY do they stop growing? Harrison finds out if girls grow faster than boys and if you can make yourself grow taller. He also uncovers the real difference between humans and other creatures, and how scientists are working to make us more like salamanders.

• Saturday, July 20, 11:30 a.m. – Solids, Liquids & Gases

The Big Question: “Why isn’t magic real?”
Synopsis: Magic IS real – sort of. Nature creates its very own magic, turning gases to liquids, liquids to solids, and solids into gas. Harrison’s attic is full of magic today with instant ice cream, a flying guinea pig and a magician who makes water appear from nowhere!

• Sunday, July 21, 11:30 a.m. – Babies and Families

The Big Question: “Why do we have families?”
Synopsis: All babies need families for their survival. Harrison investigates why babies drink so much milk and poop so much in their diapers, and why they are so cute. He also finds out why parents are so bossy. Harrison visits the Calgary Zoo to get straight to the poop on why animal babies are different than human babies.

• Saturday, July 27, 11:30 a.m. – Plants

The Big Question: “Do plants think?”
Synopsis: Harrison discovers that plants are living things, and humans depend on them for survival not just for food and clothing, but also for the very air we breathe! Harrison investigates why flowers smell so nice and fruit tastes so good.

• Sunday, July 28, 11:30 a.m. – Habitat

The Big Question: “Why is the world so important?”
Synopsis: Without a habitat, neither plants, humans nor animals could survive. Why do worms come out when it’s wet? Why don’t dolphins live on land? How can fish breathe under water? Harrison finds out about the world we live in, and all of the little worlds within it!

• Saturday, August 3, 11:30 a.m. – Garbage and Recycling

The Big Question: “What happens to stuff that goes in the trash?”
Synopsis: Garbage is stinky and gross, but Harrison finds out that even smelly garbage can be useful, and that worms make great house pets, and that tap water may have been in toilets not that long ago! Harrison gives up his old television set so that he can learn how a recycling center separates and uses each of its individual parts.

• Sunday, August 4, 11:30 a.m. – Senses

The Big Question: “Why do some spiders have eight eyes?”
Synopsis: How do we see? Why CAN’T we see some things? Why do cat’s eyes glow in the dark? Harrison sheds some light on one of our five most important senses: sight! He also learns that seeing more, doesn’t necessarily mean you can see well.

• Saturday, August 10, 11:30 a.m. – Teeth

The Big Question: “Why are human teeth and animal teeth different?”
Synopsis: Humans and animals have all different kinds of teeth because they eat all different kinds of things. Harrison finds out lots of new stuff about teeth, including why some are sharp and some are flat, why birds have beaks instead of teeth, and how overworked the poor Tooth Fairy is! Harrison visits his dentist, Dr. Cooperberg, to find out why taking care of his teeth is so important.

• Sunday, August 11, 11:30 a.m. – Sports

The Big Question: “ How come in some sports we wear helmets and some we don’t?”
Synopsis: Harrison takes an in-depth look at sports – from the precise designs of the various balls, to the specialty clothing, to the importance of practice. There’s a lot of science in sports; Harrison finds out how even cheering for your favourite team is good for you!

• Saturday, August 17, 11:30 a.m. – Best of Finding Stuff Out

Synopsis: As Harrison prepares for his school science fair, he realizes that science is all around us. Highlights from this past season, including questions about the sun, plants, teeth and spiders, help prove his point.

* Rebroadcast Schedule: Beginning Sunday, August 18^th the series will re-air from start to finish

About Apartment 11 Productions

Founded in 2000 by Jonathan Finkelstein, Montreal-based Apartment 11 Productions is a development and production company committed to creating compelling, story-driven television programming and digital content. Apartment 11 has produced over 350 half-hours of television programming seen by audiences worldwide including In Real Life, Prank Patrol, Mystery Hunters, Edible Incredible, Finding Stuff Out and Way Off Broadway. The company has also received multiple international awards including a Peabody Award, the Japan Prize, and four Gemini Awards, the Canadian industry’s top television award.

About Knowledge Network

British Columbia’s Knowledge Network is where stories live that speak to our time. A viewer-supported public broadcaster, Knowledge Network offers commercial-free creative documentaries, arts and culture, drama and children’s programs from Canada and around the world. Knowledge Kids is a safe, trusted environment for young viewers, offering good fun that sparks a child’s imagination and love of learning. Knowledge Network plays a vital role in supporting the independent production community in B.C. through the commissioning of broadcast and digital interactive content. Visitwww.Knowledge.ca and www.knowledgekids.ca