DALLAS, June 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Why would anyone say that learning the periodic chart and basic chemistry could be fun? And what's more, why on earth would anyone ride 3300 miles on a bicycle across the United States in JULY!
Meet Richard James III, a native of Beaumont, Texas with a passion for both science education and finding a cure for cancer. James is the author of Adventures of the Elements science program and part of the cycling team LIVESTRONG Across America, a 3300-mile, 33-day bicycle ride from San Diego, CA to Washington D.C., July 1-Aug 3, 2008. The tour will raise funds for Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Foundation. Riders can register at www.livestrongacrossamerica.com. James hopes to raise awareness for cancer research and the need for quality science education and have fun doing it.
Recalling how tedious, intimidating and boring traditional textbook based education can be, James created a children's science program called Adventures of the Elements, complete with high-voltage superhero characters that personify the elements on the periodic chart and lead us through amazing adventures of unseen forces of nature's warfare between battling elements and molecule/compounds.
"As an educator, I know that the best chance we have of finding cures for cancer is to create the next generation of cancer fighters. And getting kids excited about science is the key to that goal," says James.
Adventures of the Elements trilogy reads like a mad science version of a superhero adventure, and the book-based trading card game is worth its atomic weight for the sheer pleasure of decimating the "bad guy" molecules. Soon to come is an Adventures of the Elements DVD series and video game created by CAT animation group in Dallas.
James also co-founded "Sports Society for American Health," a nonprofit to raise awareness for fitness and environmental health. "We all know someone who is fighting a personal battle with cancer, or who has lost that fight because there is no cure yet," James explains. Sports Society for American Health in tandem with Alchemy Creative's (ALMY) Adventures of the Elements are sponsoring the LIVESTRONG Across America tour. Registered cyclists that ride any length of the tour will contribute to the goal of raising funds for Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG Foundation.
James and his 5-man team of friends, two of whom are educators, from Beaumont, Texas have been training intensively to prepare for the 3300 mile journey. "We are excited about raising awareness and funds for fighting cancer through LIVESTRONG, and we look forward to meeting with communities along the way to inspire a love for science among kids," said James. CAT animation production team will be filming the LIVESTRONG tour for a documentary to be aired nationwide next year.
The cyclists will travel through 12 states: CA, AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, NC, VA and end in Washington D.C.
For complete tour event information, to help support the team, or register to ride along the route, visit www.livestrongacrossamerica.com