To test the story and characters for appeal to young view- ers, the team planned to screen the first episode for fourth graders in the summer of 2023 and use their feedback to polish the pilot as well as shape future episodes.
duced augmentations of their natural characteristics—e.g., Monarch’s camouflage making him actually invisible, and Hover Fly’s hyper-fast speed—instead of mutations caused by some kind of factory pollution. Maddox said that threading this needle wasn’t easy, but she and her colleagues discovered a happy medium between their original story line, which wasn’t as nuanced, and a version that preserved some initial ideas while inte- grating feedback that balanced the story. The team has ideas for at least two more episodes and is looking for financial and partnership support for up to nine more episodes—because spreading this message to children is one of the most powerful ways for it to take root, Maddox said. “When our next generation understands how to protect pollinators, we will be one step closer to not only protecting pollinators, but the food supply and humanity.” ■
Science Partners
These experts ensured that the characters—while exag- gerated and humanized for cartoon purposes—still were scientifically sound. Early versions of Bat, for instance, came across as being blind, as the myth about bats goes. The truth is, bats just can’t see well in the light, so the story was adjusted accordingly. And in early drawings, Monarch was missing one set of legs and her colors weren’t saturat- ed enough.
ExtensionBot Leading National Artificial Intelligence in Partnership with Cooperative Extension
Our goal is to help the public connect with Cooperative Extension resources quickly and efficiently. The Extension Foundation has developed an AI chatbot, known as ExtensionBot, with funding from New Technologies for Ag Extension in partnership with Oklahoma State University. Through an AI Advisory Council of Cooperative Extension professionals, the Extension Foundation has partnered with several institutions, including Oklahoma State University, University of Florida, Washington State University, University of Georgia, Louisiana State University, and University of Kentucky, to advance this AI effort to be used and branded locally.
Creative Partners
The animator (one of Maddox’s former interns) and two story developers (Maddox and Nathan Hermond, an entomologist from Prairie View) had perhaps the most chal- lenging job: to tell a tale that promotes pollinator protection while not casting industry and conventional lawn care as villains. So the story makes the point that yards don’t have to be perfect, while suggesting that grass mowing still has its place. And the characters’ superpowers are pollen-in-
See the Pollen Power team member names on page 83.
“Pollinator Superheroes” Cast
In addition to Nate (see previous page), the cartoon’s cast of characters includes these other primary characters, (left to right): Patty Pristine, who learns a lesson about how lawn mowing affects polli-
nator habitats; Mr. Ball, a teacher at Nate’s school; Mailman; Nate’s friend Jessie; Interviewer Paul; and Nate’s mom.
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EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE | 2022-2023 YEARBOOK
2022-2023 YEARBOOK | EXTENSION FOUNDATION/NTAE
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