[all] Ta-da!
[eyebrows squeak]
[hydraulics whirring]
-[beeping] -[rock music plays]
-♪ Answer Time, Answer Time ♪ -♪ Answer Time! Answer Time! ♪
-♪ It's StoryBots: Answer Time ♪ -♪ Answer Time! ♪
♪ They live in your computer And they got a job to do ♪
♪ They're all about learning They make it fun too ♪
♪ When you have a question They answer it for you ♪
♪ It's StoryBots: Answer Time ♪
♪ Answer Time! ♪
[clock ticking]
[beeps and rings]
-[Bang] Hey, what's shaking? -[Boop] Boop!
Hi, Beep. Where do acorns come from?
They're the fruit of a tree and contain the seed,
but I can't remember which tree.
-[lumberjack] Timber! -Whoa!
[groggily] Oh, right.
Acorns come from oak trees.
[thuds] Oh.
Hi, Boop. Do you have any hobbies?
Boop.
Whoa, you're good!
-[machine buzzes] -Huh? Locked out again?
-[machine buzzing repeatedly] -Argh!
It's important to always use a secure password only you'd know.
Try your mother's maiden name.
-[machine buzzes] -The street you grew up on?
-[machine buzzes] -Childhood pet?
-[machine buzzes] -Third-grade teacher?
[machine buzzes]
[groans] Did you try typing in the word "password"?
-[machine chimes] -Ah, there we go. Thank you.
[buzzing]
Oh, look, everyone. We've got a Level Three coming in.
-[static crackles] -StoryBots?
Oh, thank goodness. I've been trying to reach you for years.
-Years? Where are you calling from? -I've been stranded on this desert island.
I think it's somewhere in the South Pacific.
Oh my gosh! You must be very lonely.
Oh, not at all, Bo.
Thankfully, I got stranded here with my best buddy William.
Uh… William seems, um, nice? [chuckles awkwardly]
Oh yeah, he's a great guy. What's that, William?
[laughing]
Oh, William, you're such a card.
So, like, how can we help you, Mr. Shipwreck dude?
Need a search and rescue team?
Oh, no, Bing. There's plenty of food here on the island.
And over the years, Willie and I have cobbled together a sweet little home.
-[heavenly tone plays] -[Bing] Whoa, did you build that?
-[Bang] That's so awesome! -[Beep] Amazing!
[chuckles] Yeah. Not bad, huh?
Willie here used to be an architect, so he handled the structural stuff.
Boop?
So, Mr. Castaway, if you don't need to be rescued,
then how can we help you?
Well, Beep, it's almost monsoon season,
and every year our floors get soaked because we don't have any windows.
Wait, you don't wanna return to civilization?
You just want windows?
Yeah. Every year the rains come and they ruin my hardwood floors.
Warps them and… Eh, it's a mess.
-Oh yeah, that water damage is rough, man. -I don't see how you'll keep out the rain.
The side of the house comes from tree trunks
and the roof's made of palm leaves.
But if you could help me figure out
where glass comes from, we can make windows.
Okay, gang. How do we find out where glass comes from?
Oh! They're building a new tower down the tube from where I live
and need lots of glass for windows.
I can ask the construction workers where glass comes from.
-[Beep] A construction site. Totally! -[Bang] Cool!
That's a great idea, Bo. But, please, hurry back.
Monsoon season's almost here
and I have this recurring nightmare of William floating away.
Don't worry, Mr. Castaway. We are on the job!
[air whooshing]
-♪ Answer Time! ♪ -[gears whirring]
Hey, StoryBots. Why can't I see stars in the day?
[whirring]
-[zen music playing] -[snoring]
-Answer Oracle. -[gasps] Huh? Yes?
Where do the stars go during the day?
Ah. The stars are always in the sky,
though we cannot always see them.
Why not?
-May I borrow your light? -[stammers] But I just bought that thing.
-[StoryBot 1 screams] -Do you see me?
All I can see is the flashlight. Turn it off.
Yet, like the stars, I am still here.
I get it. The sun is so bright compared to the other stars,
its light blocks them out.
Precisely.
-And what happens when the sun sets? -Wait, that…
-That's my new flashlight! -[glass breaks]
-[sheep bleats] -Now do you see me?
Yeah, like the stars when the sun goes down. But… But my flashlight!
How am I supposed to make it down the mountain in the dark?
Very carefully, my child.
Argh! Answer Oracle…
My brand-new flashlight… [tumbling] Ah! Ow!
-Oh, watch that first step. It's a doozy! -[StoryBot 1 tumbling and grunting]
Ouch! Ah! Ow!
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
[announcer] Next stop, Sky Tower construction.
[Bo continues] Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
Ooh! There's sure gonna be a lot of glass in this building.
-[metal clanging] -Mornin'.
-Mornin'.
[metal clanging]
Oh, maybe one of these nice construction workers can help me.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop right there. Where's your helmet?
-I don't have a helmet, sir. -Well, then, put this one on.
We're one day away from an all-time safety record.
All employees must wear a safety helmet.
[yells] Get to work! We've got a schedule to keep!
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
Oh dear,
this might be harder than I thought.
Ah, you don't need to worry.
When I first started, I forgot my helmet all the time.
-[bell rings] -Oh, no. I'm not a construction worker.
My name is Bo. There's just been a mix-up.
I could never be a brave construction worker like you.
See, I'm really, really, really scared of heights.
I could never do what you do,
being so high up in the air on all these impossibly tall buildings.
No way.
Well, if you're afraid of heights, I wouldn't look down if I were you.
[tense tone plays]
[screams, grunts]
Wait, if you ain't a construction worker, what are you doing up here?
[whimpering] I'm trying to answer a question
about how glass is made!
Well, the foreman can probably answer that.
[whimpering] Where is he?
Down there.
He's that little dot yelling at those other dots.
Pick up the pace! Watch for splinters! Stop slacking! Lift with your knees!
You! Keep that helmet on and get back to work!
How am I gonna get all the way down there?
Easy. Take the service elevator.
Whoa! Ow! Whoa! Whoa! Ow!
Oh! Hey! Oh, wow. Thanks a bunch for the…
[drawn-out screaming] Help!
Huh. Guess that service elevator ain't in service yet.
[Bo's continues screaming]
-[rattling] -[Bo screaming]
[grunting] Oh! Whoa! Whoa!
[screams]
-[rattling] -[screams]
[Bo screams]
Ow. Huh?
Excuse me, could you help me ple--? [screams]
[gasps] I'm wearing my helmet, boss! I'm wearing my helmet! Eh.
[snoring]
What're you doing? This is supposed to be an open floor plan!
[crashes]
Huh. Perfect.
[screaming]
Oh, I'm so sorry!
Oh, that's okay. Accidents happen.
-[grunts] -[screaming]
[wailing]
No, no, no, no, no!
Do you know how many accident reports I'll have to fill out?
-[board buzzes] -[screaming]
[groaning] Oh.
Delivery from Growing Panes Glass Facility.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just go set it in the loading bay.
Wait. Did he say Glass Facility?
[thuds]
Oh, I bet they can tell me how glass is made.
Thanks, Mr. Bossy Boss. Thanks, everybody. Bye-bye.
Goodbye now. Bye-bye!
-See ya. Bye. -Bye.
Careful, you two! You break that glass and you pay for it.
-Huh? Whoa! -[demolition hammer rattling]
-[crashes] -[construction material clattering]
-[monitor whirring] -Hey, StoryBots.
How do popcorns pop?
[whirring]
[narrator] SpaceBots in outer space! [echoing]
[Beep] Captain's log.
We are entering a region of space called the "Corn Cluster."
We have no idea why it goes by that name.
[Hub and Bub giggle]
-[Hub] Corn. -[Hub and Bub giggle]
Spork, report. What was that planet-sized object?
Sensor readings indicate it's, uh…
-Well, it's a giant corn cob. -[dramatic tone plays]
Spork, I need a full kernel scan of that--
-[alarm blaring] -Alarm.
-[both giggle] -[Checkmark] Captain?
An unidentified object is heading towards us.
Buckle up, crew. This could be trouble.
-[button beeps] -[dramatic music playing]
What the…
Captain, sensors indicate it is a giant corn kernel comet.
-And it is headed right for us! -How much time before impact?
Thirty seconds, Captain.
-[Beep] Mmm. -[Checkmark] Twenty-nine seconds.
-[Beep] Mmm. -[Checkmark] Twenty-eight seconds.
Twenty-seven seconds.
Checkmark! We get it!
Just stand by, please.
Affirmative.
Giant corn kernel comet headed for us.
-Come on, Beep, think! -[crunching]
-Checkmark, what are you doing? -Standing by, Captain.
Ugh. Eating popcorn?!
You want some?
Uh, no, Checkmark. I have to…
Wait a second. Spork!
Yes, Captain.
Is this comet the same structure as a normal corn kernel?
It appears to be, Captain.
Sensors indicate that inside the hull, the hard shell on the outside,
there are tiny droplets of moisture surrounding the starchy center.
And will it pop like a normal corn kernel?
According to calculations, if the kernel is heated,
the water inside will turn to steam, and pressure builds.
When the hull can no longer take the pressure, the kernel should pop.
In theory, of course.
-Checkmark. -Mm?
Set phasers to "pop."
-[machine beeps] -Phasers set.
And… fire!
[energy charging]
-It's not popping. -More power to the front phasers!
[energy charging]
-Four seconds to impact, Captain. -Come on. Pop!
[energy charging]
Three seconds.
Pop, darn it, pop!
-[Checkmark] One second! -[energy charging]
-[all yelling] -Ah! This is physically uncomfortable.
[pops meekly]
-[all cheering] -[Beep] Yes!
Popcorn popped, Captain.
Good work, Checkmark.
Spork, lock the tractor beam on that popcorn and let's watch a movie.
-Aye, Captain. -[heroic music playing]
[playful music playing]
[heroic music playing]
[narrator] The end! [echoes]
[rap music playing]
♪ How does the popcorn pop, pop? ♪
♪ There's some water inside Just a drop, drop ♪
♪ Yeah, the water turns to steam When it gets hot, hot ♪
♪ Then the steam gets bigger It don't stop, stop ♪
♪ Tries to press against the bottom And the top, top ♪
♪ But it's got nowhere to go So it goes pop, pop, pop ♪
-♪ Open a notebook or a journal ♪ -♪ Journal? ♪
♪ I'ma teach ya 'bout something Called a popcorn kernel ♪
♪ It's a little seed ♪
♪ And it's got everything you need To make the popcorn pop ♪
♪ I'll get you up to speed Inside the kernel is starch and water ♪
♪ But the shell is harder So you gotta make it hotter ♪
♪ Then the moisture turns to steam Starch grows and grows ♪
♪ The pressure builds up The shell explodes ♪
♪ Like blam, pop! It's ready to eat ♪
♪ You got that hot popcorn Such a savory treat ♪
♪ When you want a tasty bite Pop it like it's corn ♪
♪ Pop it like it's corn ♪
♪ Pop it like it's corn When it's time for movie night ♪
♪ Pop it like it's corn Pop it like it's corn ♪
♪ Pop it like it's corn ♪
♪ That's how the popcorn pop, pops ♪
[music ends]
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
[announcer] Next stop, Growing Panes Glass Facility.
[Bo] Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Oof!
Oh, goody. Looks like we have one more joining us for our tour group.
Welcome to the Growing Panes Glass Facility.
My name's Amber. I'll walk you through every part of the glassmaking process.
-Will we learn about the Bessemer Method? -[Amber] Sorry.
I'm gonna ask you to hold all questions until the end of the tour.
Everybody ready?
[StoryBots] Yay!
The history of glass is amazing.
People have been making glass for over 5,000 years.
Who can tell me what glass is made from?
Diamonds?
Crystals?
Sandwiches?
Good guesses.
But believe it or not, the main ingredient we use in making glass
is sand.
-[all] Ooh. -[camera shutter clicks]
Aw, look at the cute little baby crab.
And although sand is the main ingredient…
-[loud clang] -[gasps]
…in order to make glass, we must first mix it with other materials,
such as recycled glass, soda ash, and limestone.
Uh, excuse me, Ms. Amber?
That crane may have accidentally picked up a cutesy-wootsy adorable baby crab.
Like I've already said,
please hold all questions until the end of the tour.
-But there's a little-- -End of the tour.
I understand--
No, ma'am, I don't think you do understand.
[sternly] If you cannot follow the rules, I'm going to ask you to leave. Understand?
[whining] Mm.
Well, okay, then.
The mixer is then activated…
[banging loudly]
…grinding, smashing, and pulverizing everything into a fine dust.
[screams]
Once thoroughly mixed, the material is then fed into a super-hot oven.
-[fire hissing loudly] -[screams] Oh!
This oven can heat up to about 1,500 degrees Celsius,
or over 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
[shouting] Oh no!
Oh yes.
The mixture gets so hot it actually melts into a liquid the thickness of honey.
Wouldn't want that in your tea, though.
-[StoryBots laughing] -[Bo whining]
Next, the liquid is poured into molds and cooled.
To make things like bottles, bowls, and cute novelty glass figurines.
-[whimpers] -And we're walking. We're walking.
And now, for the grand finale of our tour, giant sheets of glass.
[StoryBots] Ooh.
[Amber] Made by pouring the liquid mixture onto a bath of melted metal, usually tin,
making the glass even on both sides and smoothing out bumps and bubbles
so you can see through it more clearly.
[sobbing] Oh, little crabby crab.
I'm so sorry you got crushed into glass.
Oh, how I wish you were here.
[crying]
[blows nose loudly]
Oh! You are here, and you're okay!
Oh, thank goodness!
I was worried something had happened to you.
[smooching]
[spitting]
Blech.
Ooh, sand.
[gasps] Sand!
Oh, I better get back to the office to deliver the answer.
Come on, little crabby. Let's go!
And that concludes our tour for today.
If you have questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them…
in the gift shop.
[game show music plays]
[whirring]
♪ When you mix sand with other stuff And get it super hot ♪
-♪ Once it cools, tell me what you got ♪ -♪ You got glass ♪
♪ Thousands of years ago They heated sand on its own ♪
♪ Now they mix in stuff like limestone ♪
♪ The mix gets heated In a super-duper oven ♪
♪ Much, much hotter Than the kind you cook stuff in ♪
-♪ It's about 2,700 degrees ♪ -♪ Fahrenheit ♪
♪ And once it's all done baking ♪
♪ It's kind of runny like honey ♪
♪ And what comes next Depends on what you're making ♪
♪ You either let that mix harden In a mold ♪
♪ In the shape of what you want Say a bottle or a bowl ♪
♪ But if you want a window Or something flat and thin ♪
♪ You pour it in a bath of melted metal Often tin ♪
♪ That smooths out all the bumps ♪
♪ So you can see through it No bubbles or lumps ♪
♪ Once it's hard We use special tools to cut it ♪
-♪ To any size you want it ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪
♪ When you mix sand with other stuff And get it super hot ♪
-♪ Once it cools, tell me what you got ♪ -♪ You got glass ♪
[glass shatters]
Hello? Mr. Castaway? Are you there?
-[static crackles] -Ah, Bo. So glad to see you.
The rains are almost here, and I've gotta get windows made.
Did you find out where glass comes from?
I sure did, and I think you're gonna be happy with the answer.
Why? Is it something I can find on a deserted island?
Well, that depends.
Do you have any sand?
Sand?
[chuckles] Bo, I've got sand coming out of my ears.
But how does sand become glass?
Well, first you heat it up
so that it's really, really, really, really, really hot.
Heat. Got it. What next?
Next, you can put it in a mold or blow it into interesting shapes,
like vases and bowls, even unicorns!
Hey, Bo. Bo. I… I don't need shapes.
I need flat sheets of glass for windows.
Before it rains.
Well, if you want sheets of glass,
then you have to pour the melted sand onto a pool of molten metal.
-What? Molten metal? -[thunder booms]
How am I gonna do that? I have no idea. I mean… What? Oh, hold on.
Oh, Willie has some ideas. That's pretty good.
Oh. Well, if you say so. [chuckles]
Listen, Bo. Thanks for your help. We really appreciate it.
[thunder booms]
Whoa. We'd better go before the rain ruins our floors again.
Oh. Thanks for calling, Mr. Castaway. Good luck with your windows. Goodbye!
Yeah, thanks, Bo.
[pretending to be Willie] Yeah, thank you. Bet you didn't think I could talk, huh?
[chuckles] That wasn't me.
-[static crackles] -[theme music playing]