Yes, Kids, There Really is a Magic School Bus

Science, imagination, education, healthier kids and a cleaner environment come together when Scholastic Inc. and EPA team up to clean up the Magic School Bus. Released today, The Magic School Bus Gets Cleaned Up – a new special edition book based on the popular Scholastic series – takes children on a smart, fun and colorful trip to learn what can be done to protect their lungs and their world from air pollution.

“President Bush and EPA are making that black puff of diesel smoke from school buses something children only learn about in history class,” said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. “This book is a fun way to inspire our children to make our communities cleaner, healthier places to live.”

“The Magic School Bus for decades has entertained children and educated them about how innovation and science can make the world better,” said Leslye Schaefer, Scholastic Media Senior Vice President. “Scholastic is thrilled to join the EPA in its effort to educate children and their families about clean air – and to make The Magic School Bus more environmentally friendly at the same time.”

EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock read the book to second graders gathered in Cunningham Park Elementary School library in Vienna, Va., outside Washington, D.C. Afterward, the students boarded Scholastic’s traveling Magic School Bus, which is an interactive science experience for children. The bus, which had a new diesel particulate filter installed, courtesy of Caterpillar Inc., has had its particulate matter pollution reduced by up to 90 percent.

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of diesel emissions, which can cause respiratory disease and exacerbate long-term conditions, such as asthma. EPA has set stringent standards to dramatically cut nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from new heavy-duty diesel engines, such as those used in school buses. EPA addresses emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of school buses through Clean School Bus USA, a component of the National Clean Diesel Campaign. Clean School Bus USA brings together partners from business, education, transportation and public health organizations to eliminate unnecessary school bus idling, add pollution control devices to buses, and replace the oldest buses with new, cleaner buses. Because of Clean School Bus USA, more than 2 million students across the country are riding on cleaner buses. The special edition book is Clean School Bus USA’s first partnership with Scholastic.

Scholastic -- the global children’s publishing, education and media company -- is celebrating The Magic School Bus book series’ 20th anniversary this year as the Emmy award-winning television series marks ten seasons on the air. Over the years, millions of children have joined Ms. Frizzle as she takes her students on class field trips and scientific adventures. Kids can join the class by reading the books, watching the television show on The Learning Channel and Discovery Kids, and viewing DVDs.