Source: Abacus Brands/The Toy Book

The star of Bill Nye the Science Guy is lending his face and voice to the first-ever branded version of Abacus Brands‘ virtual reality (VR) science kits.

Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit features uses augmented reality (AR) tech to illustrate scientific themes as animated and live-action versions of Nye appear to pop out of each page of the included 80-page, illustrated interactive workbook. Kids can use the included VR Goggles along with a compatible smartphone to view lessons from Nye in a VR tour of his actual lab. The 50-piece set includes instructions and materials for 30 projects and experiments.

“This Abacus science kit is what I’ve been looking for,” says Nye. “It’s a set of experiments integrated with computer-generated virtual reality. First, it’s hands-on at home. Then, the system expands your understanding by taking you around the world and the universe virtually. Steve Rad and his team are passionate about creating an immersive world where kids can learn and love science. It’s what science educators have hoped for.”

At Toy Fair New York this past February, Abacus Brands debuted its line of Professor Maxwell’s VR Labs, which come in Magic, Science, Chef, Universe, Atlas, and Safari themes.

“Bringing Bill Nye, literally to life in a science kit, has been my dream since even before launching Abacus Brands,” says Steve Rad, founder and CEO, Abacus Brands. “Multiple generations have learned to love science through his enthusiasm and humor and we’re extremely grateful to have his creative and scientific input in creating the best science kit ever for kids.”

Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit will be available beginning in October.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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