Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Evolution docuseries is dry but informative.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
EVOLVE examines how Earth's living creatures may have evolved from plants and animals that lived billions of years ago. Each episode looks at when specific organs like eyes and stomachs first emerged in living organisms and at how their anatomy has changed due to genetic mutations passed on to each new generation. Scientists explain these phenomena in easy-to-understand terms, using paleontological findings and computer animated graphics to chart the evolutionary history of various animals. They also demonstrate how the featured organs function in different species.
Is It Any Good?
This science-oriented docuseries points out that even the smallest parts of our bodies are extremely complex due to both millions of years of evolutionary development and the need to survive planetary changes that impact hunting, feeding and mating habits. It demonstrates how scientists track these changes in species that are now extinct, connecting their characteristics with today's life forms. It also showcases various live-animal experiments that are designed to allow researchers to study how their organs function.
But while Evolve offers lots of informative detail, it's a little dry. Despite efforts to add some dramatic flair with music, visual graphics, and footage of animals hunting and devouring their prey (which could scare young viewers), kids might not find the show particularly appealing or entertaining unless they're already interested in this kind of science. But if they do watch it, they'll be sure to take away something new every time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how science is used to study animals and humans from centuries ago. Are the explanations that scientists offer about early life actually facts, or are they just educated guesses? Do TV shows like this one give viewers the whole picture? If not, where could you go for more information? Families can also discuss theories of evolution and how they differ from other explanations for how life began on Earth.
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 29, 2008
- Cast : Kurt Tondorf
- Network : History
- Genre : Educational
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 11, 2020
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