Backyard Science
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun Australian science show gives kids permission to DIY.
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Backyard Science
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What's the Story?
Science doesn't just take place in labs with burners and beakers. In fact, when the young scientists on BACKYARD SCIENCE find themselves with a problem, they use the most practical everyday materials to solve their scientific dilemmas: salt, pencils, cardboard, magnets, paperclips. A friend can't show up for your puppet performance? No problem -- use a crankshaft to make a mechanical puppet show! Wondering why melting ice doesn't make the banks of the nearby lake overflow? Perform an experiment on your own front porch with a glass of slushy ice and water. The series is hosted by grownups Tarun Victor Gordon and Dana Kronental.
Is It Any Good?
Science can be found in dry, dusty textbooks, but why settle for that, when vibrant kids' shows like this Australian import makes everyday science so fun? Every young experimenter on Backyard Science starts with a problem to solve: A friend can't make it for a puppet show; it's mom's birthday but there's no glue left to make her a card. Surprise! Science can solve that problem! The kids swing into action, gathering easy-to-source materials and rigging a solution while Dana and Tarun explain the scientific concepts behind it. For instance, the puppeteers use a crankshaft to operate their puppets mechanically, just like a crankshaft in your car engine transforms the up-and-down motion of pistons into rotations that turn the wheels. The young scientists are excited about what they make, and careful to explain each step -- viewers at home will be inspired to make crystals, try out a homemade mouth-powered spray gun, and turn magnets loose on iron filings.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
How do the Backyard Scientists demonstrate curiosity in their experiments? Is curiosity an important quality for scientists? What other character strengths are helpful?
Why does this show choose to demonstrate scientific properties that you can see rather than taste, feel, or smell? Consider some experiments or scientific concepts that would be difficult, impossible, or boring to show on TV.
Why are the hosts of this show older people, yet all the experiments are performed by young people? Do you think this show is signaling something by having only young people doing the hands-on science? Does this show make you want to perform experiments yourself? Do you think it intends to?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 1, 2005
- Cast: Tarun Victor Gordon , Dana Kronental
- Network: Comcast
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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