UC Santa Barbara Professor Influences New Netflix Series ‘Mighty Monsterwheelies’

April 3, 2025 - 03:10

In a remarkable collaboration, Maryam Kia-Keating, Ph.D., a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has made significant contributions to the animated preschool series ‘Mighty Monsterwheelies,’ now available on Netflix. The show revolves around a dynamic team of lovable monster characters, creatively reimagined as rescue vehicles, designed to engage and entertain young audiences.

Kia-Keating, who is part of the Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology, focuses her expertise on mental health, wellness, and resilience. Her involvement in the project emphasizes the importance of themes such as resilience, teamwork, and restorative communication, which are woven throughout the narrative of the series.

The incorporation of these vital concepts aims to provide children with valuable life lessons while they enjoy the adventures of the monster characters. With Kia-Keating’s guidance, ‘Mighty Monsterwheelies’ not only promises fun and entertainment but also serves as a tool for fostering emotional intelligence and collaborative skills among its young viewers.