Mind-Blowing Breakthroughs
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Lively, historical science stories are fun and educational.
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Mind-Blowing Breakthroughs
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What's the Story?
MIND-BLOWING BREAKTHROUGHS is an animated series created in Argentina and South Korea that introduces the work and innovations of some of the most important scientists in history. Every night, in their magical theater, Baron Munchhausen and Betty host an adventure show, during which a special guest scientist like the astronomer Galileo, physicist Marie Curie, naturalist Charles Darwin, or Felix Hoffman, the creator of aspirin, shares his or her exciting story behind the theories they had, the scientific discoveries they made, and the things they invented. They also talk about the challenges they had to face throughout their careers, and how their work changed the world.
Is It Any Good?
This fun, fast-moving, and quirky series showcases the contributions of some of the most influential scientists in global history. Each approximately 13-minute chapter (which is either subtitled or dubbed in English) is presented in two parts, and uses humorous storytelling as a way of offering simple explanations of scientists' mind-blowing ideas and discoveries. Because the stories are told in the first person, they're put in a historical context that allows for a better understanding of the specific obstacles the scientists had to overcome.
Some folks may not agree with a few of the historical interpretations offered here, especially those concerning the rivalry between famed inventors Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, and the disputed details surrounding the invention of the first working airplane by either Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont or the American-born Wright Brothers. Nonetheless, the lively narratives in Mind-Blowing Breakthroughs are both entertaining and educational, and teach kids in a way that makes science, history, and innovation exciting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the inventors featured on Mind-Blowing Breakthroughs. What did they discover and how? How did they test the theories they had about the world around them? How did they come up with those theories in the first place?
What are some controversial moments in scientific history? Does the show discuss some of these events? How?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 1, 2014
- Networks: Starz, Online
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History, Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Curiosity, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: March 5, 2020
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