Shaftesbury/Smokebomb and Shift2 is partnering with Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Ubisoft and charitable organization Let’s Talk Science to launch a new multiplatform series aimed at promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Canadian education.

Children’s series Emerald Code will go into production early in 2017 and premiere online later in the year on YTV.com, after which it will air on YTV’s linear platform. At this stage, the number and duration of episodes has not been confirmed.

Starring Anwen O’Driscoll and Star Slade, the series sets out to showcase the importance of STEM-based learning and digital literacy and begins with its main character discovering web design and programming at summer camp.

Aimed at 8-to-12 year-old girls, the series was unveiled at an event held Wednesday at Shaftesbury’s new headquarters in Toronto. The event also marked the launch of the Canada 2067 initiative, which seeks to boost the emphasis on STEM-based learning in the lead up to the country’s 200-year anniversary. Other supporting partners of the initiative are 3M Canada, Amgen and Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

The event was emceed by YTV’s The Zone co-host Lisa Gilroy and was attended by guests including The Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar and actress Mouna Traoré (Murdoch Mysteries).