See more TV reviews

Design Squad (PBS)

common sense media says

Tween-aimed reality show engineers entertainment.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this tween-oriented reality series follows two teams of high schoolers who match wits in machine-building competitions. The groups rely on collaboration and teamwork to design and create solutions to various engineering challenges, and they're always respectful of each others' ideas and willing to discuss lots of possible scenarios. What sets this series apart from other reality shows is the teens' positive attitude -- they don't get upset over losses, instead celebrating (and congratulating) their peers' ingenuity. Tweens with the building bug will love this smart series -- and with four girls in the cast, viewers will be reminded that engineering isn't just a guy thing anymore.

Positive messages: The cast is made up equal numbers of boys and girls and includes Asian-American and African-American teens. Occasionally girls mention that they feel less respected than the boys, saying they hear comments like "go in the kitchen," but the overall tone is light, and collaboration and teamwork are key to the teams' successes.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Mild trash-talking between teams ("You're gonna be walking the walk when that thing doesn't work"), but it's all in good fun.
Consumerism: The Intel Foundation gets mention for sponsoring the show and the grand prize college scholarship.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Design Squad

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what sets this show apart from other reality programs. Do you think it even qualifies as a true "reality" show? Why or why not? Which TV shows seem the most "real" to you? Families can also discuss the show's challenges. Tweens, how would you have designed a machine with the given specifications? What if you could change the rules? What other tools or supplies would you use, and in what ways? And don't forget to touch on teamwork. How do team members brainstorm ideas? Is it easier to develop a game plan alone or with other people? What are the benefits of working with a team? Are there any drawbacks? What are some important attributes of a good team member?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Tween-oriented reality show DESIGN SQUAD features eight high schoolers who put their brains -- and sometimes their brawn -- to the ultimate engineering test in a competition to build a variety of machines. Sample challenges include building a dragster, a pancake cooker and flipper, a peanut-butter maker, and a pump to deliver water to an 11-foot water slide. The four boys and four girls are split into two teams to devise solutions to the challenges; over the course of two days, the teens brainstorm, design, and build their apparatus entirely by themselves, running performance tests, troubleshooting, and -- more often than not -- redesigning their creations when necessary. When their time is up, the teams' efforts are judged by a professional engineer. Each member of a particular challenge's winning team racks up points that accumulate throughout the 13-week competition (the teams are shuffled and reassigned for each new contest); the teen engineer with the highest point total at the end of the series wins a $10,000 college scholarship from the Intel Foundation.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Design Squad proves that if it's done right, reality TV can be both fun and functional. Although it's a competition at heart, the show steers clear of the bad blood that the elimination process produces and focuses instead on celebrating the ingenuity and collaboration of its young engineers. Because the teams change with each new challenge, contestants must work with many different peers under ever-changing circumstances, and this results in a group that takes setbacks and losses in stride and even manages to -- gulp! -- heartily congratulate the competition on jobs well done.

If your tweens are prone to thinking outside the box (or, for that matter, if they need a nudge in that direction), this fun, fast-paced series is sure to get their creative juices flowing. And it's so entertaining to watch the teams' endeavors that you just might want to tune in, too.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: NR
Network: PBS
Cast: Deanne Bell, Nathan Ball, Thomas Cotter
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: PBS
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

Review It

 

Review Design Squad

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

tashabm
adult
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (10) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (8)
gospurs57
adult
 
A true educational reality show
Like "Endurance", this is a reality show specifically targeting kids. I personally find a "design" reality show like this to be boring, but it is a good show. There's diversity in the cast, and you watch actual people design actual things. Bottom line: If you don't might spending half an hour watching educational reality TV, check this show out.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (8) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Design Squad?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more TV
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines