How Do They Do It
By Will Wade,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
In-depth look at unusual and challenging jobs.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
Where does paper come from? How do you park an enormous cargo ship? Can a laser slice through metal? HOW DO THEY DO IT answers all of these questions and many more. The educational series features in-depth segments on rarely seen jobs -- the cameras go right into factories, workshops, mines, and other job sites to get footage of highly trained specialists performing unusual and difficult taskls. As the title says, the show explains exactly how these jobs are done and why they're important.
Is It Any Good?
This series is the antithesis of shows that glamorize difficult and dangerous jobs, such as paramedics, demolition experts, and undersea treasure hunters. But while the careers profiled here may be more mundane, they're just as challenging and require plenty of specialized training.
Some viewers will find it interesting to learn, for example, how to create gemstones or turn oil-shale into liquid crude. Others might find segments inspiring, showing how unusual skills can be parlayed into a rewarding career. For either group, it's a satisfying show to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about career choices. How did the people on this show end up with these jobs? What subjects did they study to prepare for their work? Do you think that mastering a difficult task makes for a satisfying career?
How does this show compare to other educational shows about history or science? Do you think this series shows career paths that seem attainable? Would you want any of these jobs?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 6, 2006
- Network: SCIENCE
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Science and Nature
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
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