By: Steven West
One of the great things about children’s television, as it has evolved over the years, is that the shows are programmed to be an extension of the learning going on inside the classroom. This secondary form of learning reinforces lessons taught that day but also opens up different avenues of learning, making it more fun and approachable for some.
PBS Kids has always tried to tailor their content towards an educational approach to fill the minds of the next generation with lasting knowledge. This is especially true for their hit show ‘Odd Squad,’ which was so well received it forced production’s hand into creating a spin-off named ‘Odd Squad: Mobile Unit.” Lukas Engel not only profited from learning through the original ‘Odd Squad,’ but has evolved to play Agent Ohab on the spinoff series.
“When I was younger, ‘Odd Squad’ made learning math fun,” remembers Engel. The show’s premise revolves around an organization of children who solve mysteries with math. For the young Canadian-born actor, this novel approach allowed him to dig in and enjoy each episode, even gaining a fond connection to the show’s villains.
It was this long-standing link that allowed him to fully embrace the role of Agent Ohab. Being so familiar with the show, Engel found it second nature to be part of the filming process. But that wasn’t the only reason he enjoyed the role so much, saying, ” It gave me the opportunity to teach or give a message to the kids watching.”
It is one thing to enjoy learning. It is something novel to be inspired and pass that joy along. This isn’t young Engel’s first foray into teaching on living room screens, having been the lead role in the ‘The Wacky Word Show.’ During his time as the Canadian Kids series host, Lukas helped make learning words enjoyable. The show took a novel approach to breaking down tenses and meanings and what part of speech it pertained to.
Armed with his ‘The Wacky Word Show’ experience and a deep knowledge of ‘The Odd Squad,’ Engel dove into his character. “Ohab is a nonchalant cool guy,” he says, seeing this as a role that allowed him to “get in touch with my chill mode.” Like the rest of the agents, Ohab takes a little while to warm up to things, allowing the viewers at home to solve the problem along with him.
‘Odd Squad: Mobile Unit’ mixes problem-solving and science with a good amount of humor. As Agent Ohab stumbles through his case, guided by ‘an elite squad of agents,’ kids find themselves both laughing and learning. The show’s popularity is reflected through its dedicated page on Fandom, where commenters eagerly await the premiers of upcoming episodes.
While getting to appear on one of his favorite shows was a dream come true, what Engel appreciated most was passing along the joy of learning. “Making learning fun encourages people to learn, and it makes it more accessible to people like me,” he says. These are wise words from the young actor, but ones reflected in his performances.
Lukas Engel doesn’t just want to be an actor. His gaze is far beyond that; he looks to be an inspiration. Through his roles in shows, both as the lead and beloved secondary characters, he hopes to pass along the joy of learning that he has experienced.
Series like ‘Odd Squad Mobile Unit’ and ‘The Wacky Word Show’ point to a generational change in TV programming. We are in a decidedly new age where learning is no longer confined to the dusty pages of textbooks and literature. There are many avenues to explore, and a lot of content is aimed at arming the next generation with as much knowledge as possible.
It is incredible to watch young actors such as Lukas Engel embrace their roles in this new age of Television. Engel grew up watching and learning from the very same programs he is currently starring in. Engel has certainly come a long way, but his journey to educate is far from over. “I took this role knowing that I would be helping all the kids watching, and I hope to take more roles like it in the future.”
Published by: Holy Minoza
