Man-Made (National Geographic Channel)

Man-Made will give you a new appreciation for what it takes to make things you probably take for granted (like aluminum cans, for example). It also, perhaps unconsciously, makes a strong case for recycling by including information about the diminishing supply of the earth's resources -- and estimates of when those supplies might run out. Viewers may even get a brush-up course in economics (remember the law of supply and demand?) when episode content touches on the affordability of products made readily available by lightning-fast production. The show is a perfect fit for inquisitive viewers who like to know how things work, so curious tweens and teen will find a lot to like here; with the educational nature of the series, parents probably will, too.