Sesame Workshop and Google Earth are mapping out a future together.
The nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street is partnering with the interactive feature to spotlight 12 female Muppets. After locating each character’s originating country on Google Earth’s newly revamped platform, kids can find a curated selection of videos designed to highlight girls’ achievements in those regions.
The female Muppets featured in the partnership hail from countries where local versions of Sesame Street are aired–including the US, India, Mexico, South Africa, Germany, Nigeria and Bangladesh.
The Muppets–from India’s Chamki to Lola in Mexico–were chosen based on their abilities to teach kids essential life skills. Characters like Zari are especially important, according to Sesame Workshop, as only a third of girls complete primary school in Afghanistan. (Three million children in the area receive early education from Zari on the local co-production Baghch-e-Simsim.)
Sesame Street is no stranger to global multimedia campaigns aimed to educate children about important topics. One recent effort is Spread Kindness #ShareTheLaughter, which aims to teach kids how to be a better friend. Sesame Workshop also continues to grow its Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children initiative with the broadcast premiere of autistic Muppet Julia, as well as the launch of a new digital series and eBook.