COSMIC QUANTUM RAY
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Overview
26 half-hour episodes of the award winning animated 3D CGI TV series of Cosmic Quantum Ray are intended to spark children's interest in quantum physics and cosmology. It has been selected as a special public outreach program by IYA2009 declared by UN General Assembly and partially administered by UNESCO. The show has been distributed for broadcast worldwide to over a dozen countries and premiered in the US on 10/10/10, reaching 60 million households through the newly created HUB channel (former Discovery Kids).
Mani Bhaumik - Creator, Executive Producer
View Dr. Bhaumik's profile on IMDBTatiana Chekhova – Executive Producer
View Tatiana's profile on IMDBAwards
Cartoons on the Bay Pulcinella Award 2009 -The Best TV Series
The Hugo Television Awards - Certificate of Merit, Animated TV Series
Pulcinella Award
Synopsis
“Cosmic Quantum Ray” is a comedy-action-adventure animated TV series that bring the strange, dark, freaky corners of the universe to the world of Earth teenager Robbie Shipton a member of Team Quantum - an elite, eccentric team of intergalactic heroes that saves the Universe almost every day, and hopefully in time for Robbie to get to his third-period Science class! Cosmic Quantum Ray helps to make quantum physics more engaging for kids with a 60-90 second “Science Fact-tion” segment at the end of each episode, where our heroes explain the actual quantum physics depicted in the episode.
Quotes
Common Sense Media:
Originally aired in Germany, Cosmic Quantum Ray is the brainchild of an actual scientist who worked with writers to create a vehicle for teaching kids about quantum physics. A lofty goal, but somehow, Cosmic Quantum Ray manages to hit the mark, thanks largely to a broad sense of humor, a fast-paced tone, and clever plotting that ties the science lessons tightly into the stories being told.
It's not every cartoon that boasts pictures of Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein in its opening credits, and the shoebox containing the ninth dimension is a sly reference to the famous box where Schroedinger kept his cat. A pleasant surprise with an educational focus, Cosmic Quantum Ray wraps science lessons in a fun, appealing package for kids.
Cosmic Quantum Ray Online Forum:
Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 3:42 PM
Hi, my sister and I are both writing on behalf of our love for the show Cosmic Quantum Ray. We're both huge fans, our favorite characters are Professor Evil Brainhead and Guy Gamma. But we also love Robbie, Zooty, Allison and just about everyone else. The show is very enjoyable and we think you did a great job.
Because of this, we would love to see a second season of Cosmic Quantum Ray, another 26 episodes, possibly even a third season (and merchandise! I would kill for a Brainhead figure). So I am writing to ask--are there any plans for a second season of Cosmic Quantum Ray? I hope there is, because a lot of people love the show and it's an award winner--it deserves a second season, I think.
Please write back as soon as possible.
Thank you.
M.J. Hopper and BekahPress Interview with Dr. Mani Bhaumik,
creator of the TV Show, Cosmic Quantum Ray
Reporter: Dr. Bhaumik, what motivated you to create the show?
Dr. Bhaumik: Thank you for asking a question very dear to my heart. As a physicist, I never cease to be amazed by the wondrous revelations of science, specifically in quantum physics and cosmology. I remain as thrilled by these discoveries as I was when, as a boy, I first became aware of the story in the stars. The human spirit is generous, and when we feel passionately about our own discoveries, we wish to share them with others. Who better to share them with than young people of all nations, and what better medium of conveyance than the one they universally embrace: television?For quite some time, I have been pondering how we might use television to direct children’s’ fascination to science. I am delighted to say that the result is production of the exceptional, animated TV series, Cosmic Quantum Ray.
Reporter: Do you believe children would want to learn from TV?
Dr. Bhaumik:
We all know how much TV children watch, particularly during the critical learning phase of ages 5 to 11. We also know that they are not especially keen on educational programming. Despite the best efforts of millions of well-meaning parents, the suggestion to switch to a nature or science program will generally be met with a groan. What children seem to crave is a kind of passive stimulation, and it is disturbing to see that what programmers deliver to them often includes gratuitous violence, intolerance, and large doses of cynicism. The gutter rather than the stars.But suppose we could utilize that same “passive stimulation” to deliver the seeds of inspiration? The discovery of planets outside our solar system—to name just one example—is rife with narrative possibilities. I am happy to disclose that we have been able to use such potentialities to the full extent in Cosmic Quantum Ray.
Reporter: How does the show arouse the curiosity of children in science, rather than compel them to switch channels?
Dr. Bhaumik:
I realized that the only way we could prevent the children from changing the channels was to capture their imaginations with an entertaining story line which incorporates the time-tested elements of action, adventure, and humor. The scientific facts are subtly woven into the fabric of the story and made manifest by the action of the characters, the threats they face, and the new realities they discover. For example, if a fictional arch villain manages to steal some of earth’s gravity for profit, catastrophic events result. Our heroes—the enforcers of natural law--charge to the rescue and foil the evil plan with science, returning everything to normal. If we have done our job well, this “edu-tainment” will leave its young viewers curious about the role gravity plays in keeping our entire universe together.Reporter: Did you have to resort to science fiction to fire up children’s imagination?
Dr. Bhaumik:
Of course, storytelling craft requires that we take some artistic license. But we have been careful to avoid downright science fiction, favoring instead what I have called “science faction” — things that have either been demonstrated or are strongly supported by established theories. An example: worm holes are one perfectly valid solution of Einstein’s equation.Reporter: How did the show end up as a teamwork between Cosmotoons, Mike Young Productions, and KI.KA?
Dr. Bhaumik:
Mike Young is a visionary who has successfully produced some highly acclaimed edutainment shows through his independent production company. To our great delight, he liked our idea right away and we jointly produced a demo. After seeing the demo at MIPCOM in Cannes, KI.KA decided to join us in co-producing this fantastic project to stimulate children’s interest in science. We congratulate KI.KA for their remarkable vision and wish for an outstanding success of the show in Germany.