Conked Out!

Episode Description: After successfully turning the POGS’ Prediction Calculator against itself, Max and Molly discover the system has evolved beyond its programming and is now consolidating power inside the iconic Atomium in Brussels, Belgium. To shut down the final mainframe, they must solve complex geometry problems, logic puzzles, and overload the supercomputer with powerful paradoxes. But just when victory is in sight – the All-Powerful POG reveals himself for one final showdown in this high stakes Season 2 Finale! Math Concepts: Circumference of a circle (C = πd); Measuring diameter and unit precision; Sphere geometry; Percentages & Subtraction; Degrees in a circle (360°); Logical reasoning and deductive problem solving; Paradoxes & self-referential logicHistory/Geography Concepts:  Thomas Edison and the development of electrical power grid (1882); The 1958 Brussels World Fair; The Atomium in Brussels, Belgium; Evolution of computing power and artificial intelligence themes

Episode Description: After avoiding being hacked – the POGS begin uninventing useful inventions such as electricity, cars, and even shoelaces, Even worse, Max and Molly realize the destructive prediction algorithm is spiraling out of control. Aunt Murgatroyd challenges the POGS to a showdown at the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral to distract them, while the kids sneak into the local server site to reprogram the system. Can the team trick the algorithm into uninventing itself before everything good goes away? Math Concepts: Algorithms and computational logic; Pattern recognitionCause and effect in systems; Ratios and percentages (phone battery calculation: 60 ÷ 12 = 5 hours); Line segments and geometry humor referencesHistory/Geography Concepts:  The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral; Tombstone in the 1880s; Legendary Western figures – Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday

Episode Description: After gaining Aunt Murgatroyd’s reluctant approval to work with Mr. Conklin, Max and Molly face their biggest coordination challenge yet: shutting down five POG servers across time simultaneously. When Conklin proposes uploading a secret virus instead, the team must weigh the mathematical probabilities of Plan A versus Plan B. As each Problem Solver races against a 30-minute timer in different historical eras, they discover even the smartest strategy can be hacked. Math Concepts:  Fractions and decimals; Percent increase and comparative reasoning; Time calculations & subtraction under pressure; Unit rate and pace (distance ÷ time = speed); Remainders and fractional divisionHistory/Geography Concepts: • FAO Schwarz toy store (1998 era retail culture); • Zildjian cymbals and Ottoman-era metalworking (1623 Istanbul); Napier’s Bones (early calculating tool); Colossus of Rhodes (Ancient Greece); Computer viruses and cybersecurity basics

Episode Description: While hiding out at an overnight sleepover at the London Science Museum, Max, Molly, Charlene, and Katrina search for the final hidden POG server. Along the way, they’re forced to work with Mr. Conklin, their old Math teacher and former troll, whose Math & pop culture skills may prove invaluable. But even after the Math is solved, shutting down the server proves trickier than expected. Math Concepts: Fractions and percentages; Division and estimating proportions; Multiplication with large numbers; Lattice multiplication; Place value (ones, tens, carrying digits); Repeated decimals and roundingHistory/Geography Concepts:  London Science Museum; Planetariums and astronomy education; Al-Khwarizmi and the origins of algebra; Rotary phones and pre-digital communication; Pop culture references from the 1980s

Episode Description: With the Time Radio repaired, Max and Molly learn the location of the final POG server — hiding in plain sight at the London Science Museum. Joined by Charlene and Katrina, they must use algebra, fractions, and logical patterns to narrow their search and unlock a hidden server before time runs out. But when they realize they’re being followed, solving Math problems becomes more urgent than ever. Math Concepts:  Circumference, radius, diameter & Pi; Dividing by fractions (flip and multiply); Algebraic expressions and variables; Lattice multiplicationHistory/Geography Concepts: History of computing & calculation; Charles Babbage & the Difference Engine; Ada Lovelace & early programming; John Napier & Napier’s Bones (1617); Early calculators & mechanical computation

Episode Description: When the Time Radio malfunctions, Max and Molly accidentally jump to the wrong time and place — landing on a volcanic island moments before the historic Krakatoa eruption! To fix their device, they explore buoyancy, density, and the physics of springs using Hooke’s Law. With time literally running out, teamwork and Math become their only way home. Math Concepts: Density and buoyancy; Volume and displaced water; Unit comparison and real-world measurement; Hooke’s Law (F = –kx);History/Geography Concepts:  The Krakatoa volcanic eruption (1883); Indonesian geography (Sumatra, Java, Rakata Island); Early scientific observation of sound waves and pressure.

Episode Description: The day starts with Max trying to score goals on the soccer field – but ends with the Problem Solvers trying to meet their goal of finding the next server.  This takes them back to Ancient Greece and the legendary Colossus of Rhodes statue.   There the foursome of Max, Molly, Katrina and Charlene use unit conversions, time calculations, and problem-solving to outsmart history without changing it. But when a shadowy figure appears, they realize the POGs may be closer than ever. Math Concepts: Circumference and diameter of a circle; Using π (Pi) to calculate diameter from circumference; Unit conversion (feet to inches, cubits to inches/feet); Area comparison using real-world objects (soccer balls vs. goal size); Multiplication strategies (mental math using ×11); Time calculationsHistory/Geography Concepts:  The Colossus of Rhodes and the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; Ancient Greece (Rhodes, 230 BCE); The Siege of Rhodes; Ancient measurement systems (cubits); Greek mythology (Helios, Oracle of Delphi)

Episode Description: The Problem Solvers follow a musical clue back to 17th-century Istanbul, where math, music, and history collide at the workshop of legendary cymbal maker Avedis Zildjian. Using solfège, fractions, percentages, and number patterns hidden inside familiar melodies, the team unlocks a musical combination protecting a POG server. But teamwork — and patience — are tested as they race to shut it down before moving on to the next threat. Math Concepts: Percentages and fractions; Division and decimals; Number sequences and patterns; Repeated values and doubling (74 × 2 = 148); Logical problem solving using constraints. History/Geography Concepts:  Solfège and musical scale degrees; Relationship between music and math; History of musical instruments (cymbals); Istanbul / Constantinople historical context; Cultural significance of music across time

Episode Description: The Problem Solvers search for a hidden POG server in Oshkosh using Math, maps, and an unexpected clue from an old pneumatic tube system. As they calculate area, distance, and city blocks, tensions rise over trust, teamwork, and Charlene’s true motives. In the end, a forgotten underground system reveals a surprising connection between past technology and modern threats. Math Concepts:  Percentages and probability; Area of squares & square roots; Square miles vs. square feet; Unit conversion (miles to feet); Estimation & rounding; Perfect squares (25, 49, 64, 81, 100)History/Geography Concepts:  Pneumatic tube transport systems (19th-century technology); How information was moved before digital communication; Land area measurement of cities; Analog vs. digital security systems

Episode Description: To stop the POGs’ prediction network, Max and Molly realize they need help—and fast. However, they are torn on whether or not they can trust Charlene.  To test her honesty, they recreate an experiment with a “lost” wallet stuffed with cash. Will Charlene pass the test?  As math, probability, and human behavior collide, the Problem Solvers learn that trust might be the most valuable currency of all. Math Concepts: Ratios and fractions; Percent conversion; Probability and win–loss percentages in sports; Division and rounding; Estimation and Averages; Multiplication with large numbersHistory/Geography Concepts: Real-world behavioral science experiment on lost wallets (conducted across 40 countries); Quarantine and disease prevention (mono); The concept of global research studies and data collection