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Miami, FL (August 2016) – The world’s most beloved #1 blue engine rolls into Miami Children’s Museum this fall. Thomas & Friends®: Explore the Rails, an interactive exhibit created by Minnesota Children’s Museum and inspired by the popular children’s series on PBS KIDS in the US, and Treehouse and Télé-Québec in Canada, will steam into Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Causeway, Watson Island, Miami, FL on September 24th, 2016 for a 3 month stay through January 8th, 2017. The Thomas & Friends exhibit was designed and developed by Minnesota Children’s Museum in partnership with HIT Entertainment, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. Fisher-Price, the #1 Infant/Preschool Toys manufacturer1, is the presenting sponsor for the exhibit. 3M is the national tour sponsor.
Featuring the favorite engines and destinations from Thomas & Friends, the STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Math) -focused exhibit seeks to engage children, ages 2 through 7 years, and families in foundational skills that foster STEM literacy through playful learning experiences. The exhibit incorporates foundational STEM practices that encourage thinking mathematically, making comparisons, experimenting to solve problems using a variety of methods and tools, thinking creatively and reflecting on actions and results.
“We hope the exhibit will develop skills and proficiencies that children will learn and refine through play in the early years and set the stage for future learning and success from the kindergarten classroom to the workplace,” said Deborah Spiegelman, CEO and Executive Director of Miami Children’s Museum. “We know Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails exhibit will deliver high-quality playful learning experiences rooted in science, technology, engineering and math that will allow our children and their families to Play, Learn, Imagine and Create!”
Visitors to the 1500 square foot exhibit will be delighted as they find themselves surrounded by the Island of Sodor’s iconic locations: Knapford Station, Sodor Steamworks and much more. In the exhibit, children help Thomas and his friends solve a variety of challenges, from a simple sorting and shape identification activity to more complex engineering obstacles, such as completing a train track using track pieces with different levels of elevation. As children confront new challenges and test their abilities, the smiling faces of Thomas, Percy, Victor and others are there to offer encouragement and remind children how “really useful” they all are.
Inside the Exhibit:
“Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails brings to life kids’ favorite characters and destinations from the Island of Sodor in a fun and educational way,” said Sid Mathur, Vice President, The Americas, HIT Entertainment. “With their expertise and creativity in designing and producing top-rate interactive experiences for kids, the Minnesota Children’s Museum has been an enthusiastic partner developing this exhibit and delivering to fans a new way to experience the brand.”
3M National Sponsorship
Minnesota Children’s Museum’s long-time supporter 3M has signed on for a 5-year national sponsorship of the Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails exhibit, providing a strong connection to their history of innovation in science and engineering.
“Minnesota Children’s Museum delivers high-quality STEM learning opportunities for children across Minnesota and beyond. We’re thrilled to take our collaboration to the next level and impact children and families across the country as the national sponsor of Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails,” said Kim Price, Vice President, 3Mgives.
Admission to Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails! is included with regular Museum admission, which is $20 for adults and children, $15 for Florida Residents, free for children under 1 year and admission for MCM Members is complimentary. For more information, please contact the Museum at 305.373.KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
The Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) offers bilingual and interactive exhibits; programs and classes and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication. They have 14 interactive galleries as well as housing many exciting and fun traveling exhibits. Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Through arts and educational programs, MCM seeks to include and target all audiences in Miami’s changing and diverse community by becoming the “town center” for Miami-Dade County’s children and families.
ABOUT MIAMI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Founded in 1983, Miami Children’s Museum is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. The 56,500-square-foot facility includes 14 galleries, classrooms, parent/teacher resource center, 200-seat auditorium and outdoor exhibits, including a new playground. The museum offers hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits; programs and classes, including special needs classes; Subway restaurant; Kid Smart educational gift shop and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication. To learn more about the museum, please visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
Miami Children’s Museum receives both private and public funding. MCM is sponsored in part by the City of Miami; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
ABOUT THOMAS & FRIENDS®
Thomas the Tank Engine™ was created by a father for his son nearly 70 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and teamwork. Thomas & Friends is the #1 preschool toy license in the US, according to The NPD Group, Inc., and makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS® and Sprout in the US and on Treehouse and Télé-Québec in Canada and with downloadable episodes available through iTunes. For more information, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com. Follow Thomas on Facebook at facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @ThomasParent.
ABOUT HIT ENTERTAINMENT
HIT Entertainment is one of the world’s leading preschool entertainment companies, specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment’s world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®.
HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families. This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment’s lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and attractions. HIT Entertainment, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information visit www.hitentertainment.com
ABOUT FISHER-PRICE
Fisher-Price, Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT) located in East Aurora, N.Y., is the leading brand of infant and preschool toys in the world. The company’s legacy of high quality toys has enhanced early childhood development for more than 82 years. Some of the Company’s best-known “classic” brands include Little People®, Power Wheels® and Imaginext®. Fisher-Price is also a leading developer of baby gear products (infant swings, bouncers, high chairs), as well as a wide array of character-based toys inspired by high quality children’s programming such as Dora the Explorer™, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Thomas & Friends®. The Company’s website, www.fisher-price.com, as well as its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/fisherprice provide valuable information and resources to parents and grandparents around the world.
ABOUT 3Mgives 3Mgives is a recognized leader in corporate giving, philanthropy, volunteerism and community engagement. Since 1953, 3M has invested $1.3 billion in cash and products around the world and was most recently honored with the United Way Spirit of America Award, the Silver U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Excellence in Mentoring Award for Corporate Leadership. For more information, visit www.3Mgives.com or follow @3Mgives on Twitter.