Sesame Street now brought to you by letters S-T-E-M

In a bid to give young viewers a leg up in math and science, the producers of Sesame Street this fall want to help the very young think like scientists. It’s a response to international rankings that show US kids slipping when it comes to basic math and science knowledge.

Research compiled by Georgetown University’s Early Learning Project found that Sesame Street helps kids’ school-readiness, and that much of the academic advantage lasts into high school.

In the show’s 42nd season, which debuts today, so-called STEM skills — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — are front-and-centre. Characters build bridges, launch rockets and think through problems that require trial and error, observation and data — via redwolf.newsvine.com