Toronto, Canada-based Shaftesbury, along with its digital arm Smokebomb Entertainment and branded entertainment agency shift2, is set to produce a new live-action, STEM-themed series for tweens entitled Emerald Code. The series is also being developed in partnership with Corus Entertainment’s YTV, game company Ubisoft and Canadian charitable org Let’s Talk Science.

With production set to begin early next year, the digital series targets girls ages eight to 12 and follows 15-year-old Charlotte who, after discovering web design and programming at summer camp, inspires her group of friends to use science and engineering to help navigate school life.

Emerald Code, which stars newcomers Anwen O’Driscoll and Star Slade, will premiere on YTV.com in 2017, before making its linear premiere on YTV at a later date.

The series announcement coincides with the official launch of Canada 2067, a two-year nation-building initiative presented by Let’s Talk Science that aims to help Canadian youth adapt and prepare for the rapidly changing education and career landscape by enhancing student access to science, technology, engineering and math.

Emerald Code was introduced yesterday at an official kick-off event for Canada 2067 called STEM: Past, Present and Future at Shaftesbury’s new state-of-the-art studio and office space in Toronto.

Special attendees at the launch included Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Canada’s first female astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar.

Emerald Code arrives as industry demand for STEM-based shows and initiatives aimed at girls continues to increase.

South of the border, Netflix recently partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA on a STEM Superstars online resource guide for girls, which ties in with Project Mc2, Netflix’s original STEM-inspired series from MGA Entertainment.

California-based multimedia company GoldieBlox is also set to launch Toy Hackers, a new web series starring young female YouTube stars that teaches kids how to hack their toys using everyday objects.