Elf Island GoodQuest: Stimulus Package That Helps Polar Bears!

Mar. 2, 2009 Talk about a two-fer: A great deal AND a great cause! Elf Island has put forth a brilliant triple-play “stimulus package” where kids can have fun gaming, help REAL nonprofits make a difference in the world and LEARN about climate change to boot.  Wow. A healthy media venue with no ads, a safe tween hub, and a philanthropic mindfulness message for a $27.95 annual … [Read more...]

Dora The Explorer: Discover the World, Not the Mall

Feb. 26, 2009 Oh fer cripes sakes. Say it ain’t so. Is Dora the Explorer getting a makeover and turning tween TOO?! Leave her alone! This "age-compression" bit is putting a new dent in my TMJ-clenched jaw as we once again see marketers "vy for the buy" with zero regard for the integrity of the message being delivered. Just LOOK at the cues being sent to ‘tween girls’ as … [Read more...]

Budget Hero Game: Want To Be President of the USA?

Sept. 18, 2012 Tomorrow Sept. 19, 2012, two students from the Maryland School of Public Policy join WilsonCenter.org on Capitol Hill to launch Budget Hero new "Election Edition" engaging a group of Congressional lawmakers in a bipartisan debrief! Woohoo! Let's hope we all learn some financial literacy skill sets! Feb. 24, 2009 Freakonomics fans probably had a field day … [Read more...]

Oscars, Obama, Twitter Glam & Jonas Brothers? New Media Moments

Feb. 24, 2009 I’ve been asking tweens/teens whether they watched the Oscars on Sunday to get a feel for the youth zeitgeist when it comes to the Academy Awards show as an entertainment draw in itself. After all, the inauguration became a Web 2.0 livestream CNN/Facebook happening, and the interactive tradition continues today with Obama's Address to Congress (live 9pm ET) … [Read more...]

Boogie For the Babes: UCLA Dance Marathon For Pediatric AIDS

Feb. 20, 2009 Derek Lee, one of our UCLA pals, is dedicated to dancing 26 hours straight with thousands of students tomorrow starting at 11am. He’s inching toward his goal with only a tiny bit more to go, and you can help put him over the top as he amps up awareness to help kids who are infected with or affected by the disease. Dance Marathon has raised nearly $1.37 million … [Read more...]