Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
MythBusters spin-off makes science fun for tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Head Rush
What's the Story?
Have you ever wondered how much a cloud weighs? How about why pie-eating contestants' stomachs don't explode? If scientific questions like these get your gears turning, then HEAD RUSH is sure to do the same with its fun, fast-paced glimpse into the modern-day applications of science. Hosted by MythBusters' Kari Byron and featuring abbreviated episodes from that show, Head Rush dabbles in all things science, including home-grown chemistry experiments, unusual animal facts, and field trips that show viewers how professionals have built science-related careers.
Is It Any Good?
Curious tweens will find a lot to stimulate their senses in this intriguing series, which doesn't shy away from the wild and wacky "did you knows" that thrill this age group. There's a fair amount of smart content available here, and the show's fun format increases the chance that young viewers will actually absorb the useful information.
That said, it's almost misleading to classify Head Rush as a series in its own right, since the MythBusters segments actually dominate about three-quarters of the show's hour-long format. The mini-episodes are so lengthy that viewers get the sense that the brief Head Rush spots are there to complement the Busters' work rather than vice versa. Of course, tweens probably won't be disappointed by the guys' entertaining blend of science and creative problem-solving, so it should all work out OK.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how science affects our daily lives. What scientific breakthroughs are you most dependent on? How would your life be different if these advancements hadn't been made? Where do you see science taking us next?
Tweens: Who has the right to control how scientific knowledge is used? What debates exist in the fields of genetic research and nuclear power, for instance?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 23, 2010
- Cast : Kari Byron
- Network : SCIENCE
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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