RALEIGH, NC – How Stuff Works, the Internet media company that provides one of the top-rated Web sites in the nation, announced today the publication of its first major offline offering, HSW Express. HSW Express is a free magazine targeting elementary and middle school students. It offers cool articles and colorful graphics about science and technology, linked to Web-based teaching tools for teachers.
“This is one of several media offerings we plan to launch in the offline space,” said Marshall Brain, Founder and CEO of the popular brand. “The popularity of How Stuff Works with adults inspired us to develop content geared for a younger audience. HSW Express will enable our younger readers to explore and enjoy all the fascinating things about science and technology.”
Development of the publication involved research on topics “hot” with today’s kids, as well as several focus groups conducted with middle-school students and teachers interacting with Brain. Mark Mine, editor in chief of HSW Express, said the idea was to make science fun while providing a useful tool for teachers. “Our goal with HSW Express was to make it cool enough to excite kids, but valuable enough that it helps science teachers be successful.”
Supporting the magazine is an online Teachers Guide, including lesson plans correlated with national standards, teacher worksheets, experiments, sample end-of-grade tests and extended learning activities. Magazine features include such quirky topics as “Toy Autopsy,” in which a popular toy is dissected and explained; “ExpressQuest,” a self-directed Web scavenger hunt; a Sci-Tech TV Guide, with recommended programs; and “Extraordinary People,” profiling remarkable individuals in science or the professions.
Each issue will also include a How Stuff Works feature article, the hallmark of the brand, explaining in conversational language and brilliant color graphics the inner workings of everyday objects. The premier issue examines the compact disc, which is actually “…a piece of plastic with 10 billion data bumps!”
Distribution of HSW Express will target school systems across the country, as well as home school networks. The magazine is free to students and teachers. Teachers can register online to receive copies of the publication at http://www.howstuffworks.com/express-form.htm. How Stuff Works will publish six issues per year and is sponsorship supported.
Other offline media offerings planned for 2001 include a line of How Stuff Works books and syndication of the Web site’s content. Currently, How Stuff Works content appears in USA Today Online, LA Times and, beginning in January, Plant Engineering, a Cahners Publication.
“The release of HSW Express is a big step toward our mission of making clear and fascinating explanations of our world available to everyone,” Brain said. “We’ve received great feedback from kids, teachers and parents.”
