Parents' Guide to

All-American Makers

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Inventors pitch to investors in STEM-based reality.

TV SCIENCE Reality TV 2015
All-American Makers Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

ALL-AMERICAN MAKERS is a series that features scientists and inventors trying to get funding to further develop and mass-market their products. Each episode features teams pitching what they believe are commercially viable inventions to robotics expert Brian Roe, inventor and entrepreneur Brook Drumm, and venture capitalist Marc Portney. Drumm and Roe then take the prototypes to their workshop to deconstruct the science behind and the design of each product. They also test each one to see how well they work. After Portney narrows down the list based on these reports, focus groups are conducted to test each remaining prototype's functionality and retail potential. He then makes the final determination about what products (if any) he wants to invest his own money in and attempts to make some deals.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This Shark Tank-like show, which has been recognized by the White House for its support of STEM education, shows how an idea can be developed into a commercially viable, and potentially highly profitable, product with the help of science, engineering, and math. The accessible explanations and demonstrations of each invention also make the journey from idea to product entertaining.

Inventors and engineers of all ages will certainly be inspired by the positive messages (hard work, creativity, perseverance) featured here. But even the non-scientist will benefit from some of the less obvious lessons, including the need to clearly and concisely articulate your goals and the importance of having passion for your idea. Most of all, it underscores the importance of believing in what you're creating, even if no one else does.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it takes to turn a cool idea into an actual product. Do reality shows such as this one really offer an honest look into what goes into the process?

  • What is STEM education? Should everyone study science, technology, engineering, and math? Are subjects such as literature and the arts equally as important?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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