Parents & Educators: About the Site

Site Summary and Usage Tips

Web Site Summary

The Design Squad Web site is the online companion to the television series airing on PBS Kids. The site targets kids ages 8 and older, and features a mixture of magazine-style articles, interactive features and downloadable content that can be used away from the computer.

Like the show, the goal of the Web site is to give kids a stronger understanding of the connection between engineering and the things we all use in everyday life.

The results of engineering are all around us: from cars to cameras and everything in between. Being an engineer doesn't mean being a "nerd" with a pocket protector. It means being a creative problem solver, an innovative thinker and a team-player. The Pro-File videos offer a quick look at engineers with very different jobs and backgrounds. These clips just might leave you thinking, "Hey, that's cool, I want to do that!"

The Web site offers many examples that contextualize engineering concepts shown in the series, and spurs kids to explore those concepts on their own or with a parent or educator.

Together, the Design Squad television series and Web site equips kids with science and math skills, inspires them and lays the foundation they need to participate in engineering activities later in life.

Usage Tips

Here are a few quick tips that will help you make the most of your time on the Web site:

Before you start playing, it's a good idea to take a quick look at the Technical Help area of the site to learn about any (free) downloads you might need in order to play the games and to experience this Web site at its best.

Want to use Design Squad content in your classroom, at a museum or in an informal setting? Check out our Educators Guide, Event Guide, Activity Guide and Activities pages to get the resources you're looking for.

Miss an episode of the show? You're in luck. All the episodes can be viewed right here on the Web site on our Videos page.