The good witch Axura is a legendary figure in folklore. She is known for her kind and generous nature, always helping those in need. Axura is said to possess magical powers that she uses for the betterment of others. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman with flowing white hair and a sparkling wand. According to the legends, Axura had an innate ability to sense whenever someone was in trouble. She would then use her magical powers to come to their aid.
Through on-screen characters like Peep, Peg and Digit, and with access to hands-on activities and other innovative science content, NSF is ensuring quality science programming reaches newer generations of Alex Petersons, inspiring them to become scientists or -- at the very least -- to take chances, make mistakes and get messy!
I think that at least one of the books of which I read two, not sure if there was more had something do to with moon in the title, and I think the second one had to do with kittens and a queen. I have a very vivid memory from third grade of looking at the schedule and counting down the time to science class because I just couldn t wait to do science in real life.
She would then use her magical powers to come to their aid. Whether it was healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, or solving a problem, Axura would always lend a helping hand. Axura was beloved by the people of her village, who would often seek her guidance and help.
#NSFstories: What a magic school bus can teach us about science education
A school bus full of third graders sits stranded, submerged in a dense, sticky substance with no way to escape. Then someone comes up with an idea. They add baking soda to a vial of vinegar and top it with a balloon. The mixing of the two substances causes an immediate chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide, inflating the balloon and lifting them to safety. Ms. Frizzle’s students have once again used science to get them out of a jam -- this time in the form of a cake.
Twenty years ago, four-year-old Alex Peterson was on the edge of her seat watching Ms. Frizzle and her class escape from being baked inside a cake on the "Ready, Set, Dough" episode of "The Magic School Bus."
"I loved baking when I was a kid. Watching those air bubbles form, it just clicked for me that chemistry is what makes cakes, and I realized that this is what I wanted to do," says Peterson, now a doctoral student in biochemistry at the University of Maryland. "I have a very vivid memory from third grade of looking at the schedule and counting down the time to science class because I just couldn't wait to do science in 'real life.'"
Peterson in her lab (left) and dressed up as Ms. Frizzle with her cat dressed up as Liz for Halloween (right)
In her university lab, Peterson studies the enzymes that form biofilm, a slimy buildup of microorganisms that can grow on all types of surfaces, from teeth and buildings to pacemakers and ponds. She's looking for a way to effectively break down the notoriously impenetrable substance, which can make it hard for medications to reach the infections they need to treat. Finding a way to reduce biofilms could make treatments more effective. When asked about the effect "The Magic School Bus" had on her current career path in science, Peterson says, "It's absolutely why I'm a chemist."
Twenty-five years ago, Scholastic's "The Magic School Bus" veered off the written page and into our television sets, bringing with it a credo that emphasized taking chances, making mistakes and getting messy. Support from the National Science Foundation helped bring the celebrated book series to the airwaves and to young viewers like Peterson, sitting frog-legged on living room floors across the country.
Sandy Welch was the director of education at PBS when the network picked up "The Magic School Bus" as part of its portfolio of children's programming.
"We were excited because it was the first fully animated science show," Welch says. "I was excited to see a teacher featured, and not just any teacher -- [Ms. Frizzle] was a delight!"
Welch says Ms. Frizzle helped inspire teachers to use the programming in their classrooms.
Today, Welch is part of a division in NSF’s education directorate dedicated to providing funding for children's media programs that focus on STEM education. It supports the agency's multi-decade effort to boost science learning beyond the classroom, where research has shown most learning takes place.
"We know that children learn intuitively and that a lot of it happens in an informal setting," says Welch.
NSF supports a wide range of informal STEM programming in museums, through after school programs and citizen science projects. With mass media, however, there is a potential to reach millions.
According to Welch, for NSF to fund a media program it must meet rigorous criteria. Creators must demonstrate the concept was developed based on existing knowledge of best practices in STEM education and how children learn through media. They must have clearly defined goals on how to interest, engage and impact learners. They must have a way to evaluate the program's impact.
And they must be innovative.
"Our program is explicit that we want to fund innovation," Welch says. "We are looking for proposals that experiment with new technology, a new approach, a new distribution platform. We're willing to fund things that may be risky -- like a new platform that hasn't been tried but seems to hold promise."
"The Magic School Bus," "3-2-1 Contact," "Reading Rainbow," "Zoom" and "Bill Nye the Science Guy" were just a few of the early NSF-funded shows that took an innovative approach to bringing science to life on the small screen.
Courtesy Peep and the Big Wide World/ PBS KidsToday, NSF-funded shows like "Cyberchase," SciGirls," "Peep and the Big Wide World," "Peg + Cat" "Design Squad," "Splash and Bubbles" and others continue to break new ground in children's science learning through media.
"Peep and the Big Wide World," for example, was one of the first programs to show that toddlers could learn basic science concepts and skills like measuring, comparing and estimating through television shows geared toward their age group.
Courtesy SciGirls/PBS Kids"SciGirls" was launched in response to the fact that women in the U.S. remain underrepresented in STEM, especially in fields like engineering and the computer sciences. The show engages tween viewers in STEM by following a group of real-world girls as they predict, observe, experiment and otherwise don their "scientist hats" to understand the world around them.
Many of today's shows have also been adapted to a multimedia and mobile world, augmenting their TV programming with innovative web content and downloadable apps. Kids who love "Cyberchase," a show designed to make math fun and accessible and that NSF began funding in the late 1990s, can now access educational games, videos and hands-on activities via the "Cyberchase" webpage on the PBS Kids website and through apps. The webpage for "Design Squad," another NSF-funded show on PBS, offers short videos on how to make everything from a two-wheeled balloon car to bristle bots made from toothbrush heads.
[More: Seven NSF-supported STEM resources that are perfect for at-home learning]
Through on-screen characters like Peep, Peg and Digit, and with access to hands-on activities and other innovative science content, NSF is ensuring quality science programming reaches newer generations of Alex Petersons, inspiring them to become scientists or -- at the very least -- to take chances, make mistakes and get messy!
Use this printable storybook to track what happens to The Magic Cat and his friends throughout the series.
She would listen to their problems and work tirelessly to find a solution. Her presence brought hope and happiness to those she encountered. One of the most famous tales about the good witch Axura revolves around a village plagued by a terrible drought. The crops were withering, and the people were suffering. Despite their desperate prayers for rain, the skies remained clear. In their darkest hour, Axura appeared. She performed a ritual and summoned rain to the parched lands, saving the village from impending disaster. Axura's acts of kindness were not limited to her village alone. She was known to travel far and wide, helping people from different communities and backgrounds. Her selflessness and compassion touched the hearts of many. However, Axura's power and kindness did not go unnoticed by a wicked sorceress who was jealous of her abilities. The sorceress sought to take Axura's powers for herself and plotted to capture her. She devised a cunning plan and succeeded in imprisoning Axura in a magic spell. The whole land mourned the loss of their beloved witch, as happiness seemed to vanish in her absence. But the legends speak of a hero who emerged to save Axura. With bravery and determination, the hero defeated the sorceress and broke the spell, freeing Axura. The people rejoiced at the return of their good witch, and peace and prosperity were restored. The tales of the good witch Axura have been passed down through generations, symbolizing the power of kindness and selflessness. She serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is always hope and that a kind heart can make a difference. In conclusion, the good witch Axura is a beloved figure in folklore, known for her magical powers and her kind and selfless nature. Her acts of kindness and her ability to help those in need have made her a timeless symbol of hope and compassion..
Reviews for "The Good Witch Axura's Quest for Harmony: Balancing Magic and Reality"
1. Janet - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Good Witch Axura' because I love supernatural storylines, but I was deeply disappointed. The plot was extremely predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. The whole movie felt rushed and poorly executed. I found myself losing interest halfway through and wishing for it to end. Overall, a major letdown."
2. John - 2/5 stars - "I'm sorry, but 'The Good Witch Axura' did not live up to its hype. The acting was subpar at best, with awkward dialogue that felt forced and unnatural. The storyline lacked originality and seemed like a rehashed version of other supernatural movies I've seen before. I was hoping for a captivating plot with twists and turns, but instead, I found myself yawning throughout most of the film. Overall, it was a forgettable experience."
3. Lisa - 1/5 stars - "I cannot believe I wasted my time watching 'The Good Witch Axura.' The script was poorly written, with cliché and cringe-worthy dialogue. The special effects were laughably bad, and the acting was wooden and unconvincing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or growth. I expected so much more from this film, but it fell flat on its face. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one."
4. Mark - 2/5 stars - "I typically enjoy supernatural movies, but 'The Good Witch Axura' felt like a sloppy attempt at cashing in on the genre. The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed and lacked coherence. The pacing was all over the place, and the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. The performances were mediocre, and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, it was a forgettable movie that failed to leave a lasting impression."