Children today are growing up surrounded by technology, but how much do they really understand about what happens behind their screens? A new Canadian educational docuseries, The Screen Team, aims to answer that question by taking young viewers inside the laboratories, data centres and research facilities where some of the country’s most innovative technologies are being developed.

Premiering October 9 on TVOkids digital platforms and October 10 on television, the series follows young hosts Leia Maharaj of Stouffville and Reid Almeida of Burlington as they investigate everything from artificial intelligence and online misinformation to 3D printing, self-driving vehicles and the technology that keeps airplanes safely moving through the skies.



Produced by Toronto-based Fifth Ground Entertainment, the series is designed for children aged eight to 12, combining humour, hands-on experiments and conversations with leading Canadian scientists, engineers and technology experts.

Helping Kids Understand the Technology Around Them

The idea for The Screen Team originated with creator Christine Mitchell, who believed that the technology concepts she had taught at the university level could be adapted for younger audiences.

“She’s taught technology at a university level and figured the concepts could be adapted for younger kids,” explained executive producer Raj Panikkar. “Knowing Fifth Ground’s body of work and experience making series like this for kids, she approached us with the idea for the show.”

Panikkar believes the series fills an important gap in children’s programming.

“It’s actually well overdue for a children’s series about technology — there’s nothing comparable out there now, and with technology integrated into all aspects of their young lives, kids need to understand how the ‘black box’ works.”

Across 20 episodes, Leia and Reid explore the systems and innovations influencing how people communicate, learn, travel and interact with the world. The series also examines more complicated issues, including screen addiction, digital rights, online privacy and the algorithms influencing what people see online.

With artificial intelligence evolving rapidly, explaining the technology in a way that remains accessible and relevant presented a particular challenge.

“AI is developing so fast, it would be easy for our series to be out of date by the time it airs,” said Panikkar. “But we’ve kept information broader, to maintain up to date relevance.”

The production team worked with educational consultants and incorporated animation and practical demonstrations to make complicated subjects easier to understand.

From Airport Control Towers to 3D Printing Labs

Rather than simply discussing technology in a studio, The Screen Team brings its young hosts directly to the people and places behind it.

Working with organizations including the University of Waterloo, York University, Sheridan College, Bell Canada, NAV CANADA and the University of Toronto, the series gives viewers an opportunity to explore facilities and technology rarely accessible to the public.

For Leia, one of the most memorable experiences was visiting NAV CANADA and seeing the technology involved in managing air traffic at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

“We even got to go into one of the control towers! It was so neat to see how the technology keeps track of all the planes in the sky and how humans use this information to keep people safe while traveling on those planes,” she recalled.

The visit gave her a new appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes whenever someone boards an airplane.

“It’s just stuff we take for granted. But now that I know, I can’t take that for granted any more.”

Reid was equally impressed by the experience, particularly the coordination involved in keeping aircraft moving safely.

“Leia and I walked right into an active room and the number of things happening at once just blew my mind,” he said. “And it was not chaotic, or anything near that — it was calm and controlled.”

Another memorable experience for Leia was exploring advanced 3D printing technology at the University of Waterloo.

While many people are familiar with plastic 3D printers, Leia discovered how researchers are using other materials, including resin and metal, to manufacture increasingly complex objects.

“I can’t believe that they can make body parts, like bones!” she said.

The process also required extensive safety precautions, including protective clothing and a respirator.

“I felt like an astronaut!” she recalled.

For Reid, a visit to a battery manufacturing facility provided one of the biggest surprises.

“There are so many steps that you don’t think about. There are different rooms, different kinds of tech involved, and the machinery is huge,” he explained. “The coolest part for me was seeing that the batteries in your car and phone, and other items, are made almost entirely by robots!”

Learning to Question What We See Online

Beyond exploring exciting innovations, The Screen Team also encourages children to think critically about the information they encounter online.

Episodes examine deepfakes, misinformation, recommendation algorithms and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on everyday life.

Leia said filming the series helped her better understand how to evaluate information, particularly when it comes to identifying misleading content.

“I think it’s always important to ‘fact check’ the things you see or read. I first ask myself, why is this information being shared? What is the purpose? Why does somebody want me to know this?”

She also emphasized the importance of comparing multiple sources and considering whether the information comes from a reliable organization or individual.

“I feel like I tend to lean more toward not believing what I see or read unless I can verify the information.”

Reid, meanwhile, has become increasingly interested in the educational possibilities of artificial intelligence.

While he recognizes concerns about students using AI to complete assignments, he believes the technology can be a valuable learning tool when used responsibly.

“Many kids associate AI with cheating, especially in a school setting. And obviously we don’t want AI to write our book reports or create projects from start to finish. But AI is an awesome tool to study with.”

He sees particular value in using AI to create study guides, practise for tests and explain unfamiliar concepts.

“It’s like having your own personal tutor!”

Showcasing Canadian Innovation

An important part of The Screen Team is its focus on the researchers, scientists and engineers working across Canada.

The series introduces young audiences to experts at institutions including McGill University, Western University, the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, alongside Canadian technology companies and organizations.

For Panikkar, meeting the people behind these innovations reinforced just how much technological research is happening in Canada.

“It surprised me that there are so many researchers and experts in Canada advancing technology,” he said. “It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking it’s all happening elsewhere, but from AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton on down, Canada has a lot to be excited about in technology.”

The experience also demonstrated how science and technology intersect with a wide range of interests and careers.

Leia, who enjoys singing, dancing, drawing, painting and other creative pursuits, isn’t necessarily planning a career in engineering or science. However, the series helped her recognize how technology influences nearly every profession.

“I’m not sure where I’ll land but I’m sure it will be impacted, at least in part, by science or tech.”

For Reid, the experience has only expanded his curiosity. Asked what he would like to explore in a potential future season, he pointed to biotechnology and agriculture.

“We already have seedless watermelons; could we potentially have cherries without pits, or peach-flavoured strawberries?”

When and Where to Watch The Screen Team

The Screen Team makes its digital debut on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET on the TVOkids YouTube channel, website and mobile app. The series premieres on television Saturday, October 10, at 10 a.m. ET.

Through its combination of hands-on exploration, humour and expert insight, the series offers families an opportunity to learn more about the technology influencing their lives, while encouraging younger viewers to ask questions, think critically and perhaps imagine themselves helping create the next generation of innovations.

Watch the trailer: The Screen Team on YouTube.