Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Scientists work together toward common research goal.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Hunt for Dark Matter
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE HUNT FOR DARK MATTER is a documentary short about the search for the substance that scientists believe holds the universe together. The European Organization for Nuclear Research, a.k.a. CERN, is collaborating with the University of California Santa Barbara to search for dark matter, which physicists and astronomers believe are invisible particles that emerged at the time of the "Big Bang." But the existence of dark matter has yet to be proven, so new technology is being built, and integrated to other machines, to help scientists detect it. It's expected that their work will bring them closer to understanding the mysteries of the universe.
Is It Any Good?
This physics-heavy short offers informative details about the phenomena known as dark matter, and the work that is being put in to detecting it. Much of the conversation is about the technology being built to assist the multinational community physicist and astronomers who are seeking to prove its existence. The challenges that come with building these machines are also discussed. If you've ever wondered what Leonard and Sheldon are talking about when discussing their work on The Big Bang Theory, The Hunt For Dark Matter might answer some of your questions. But the overall presentation will appeal most to folks with an interest in science and space.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the scientific efforts to detect dark matter. Why is this so important to scientists in the field? What can supporting the theory of dark matter's existence do for our understanding of how the universe works? What if scientists aren't able to find it?
The Hunt For Dark Matter features a cast of male physicists and astronomers. Why? What does the lack of female scientists in this documentary suggest about these scientific fields of study?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 4, 2017
- Director : Daniel H. Birman
- Studio : Daniel H. Birman Productions
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : STEM
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 23 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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