Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Family movie night? There's an app for that

Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.

Parents' Guide to

NOVA

By Ellen Dendy, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Stellar science series expands curious minds.

TV PBS Educational 1974
NOVA Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 5 parent reviews

age 2+

Story about dogs

For the most part I found it very interesting. But there were two things that question. The first testing if dogs love. Well they tested with the dogs want praise and a half hearted raise at that. What they should’ve tested was when the dogs owner was talking to them what would happen to the brain? My dog loves everyone, but there’s no comparison to the way she feels about me and everyone else. The other I was horrified at all those poor foxes being held in tiny cages for their life in the name of science!
age 8+

The best of science produced in Boston, shared with the world.

This programme is produced by 'GBH, one of the major producers for most PBS stations. This is the best idea developed by Michael Ambrosino in 1973, aired March 3rd, 1974, and since then, is still on air. Many episodes of #novapbs are still available on DVD and many Blu-Ray editions. Available at ShopPBS.org (purchases supports PBS). Also I remember an episode named "Separating Twins," about the conjoined twins in an Aussie hospital. This story is very profound and interesting. Why this two twin girlies are still alive? Thanks to the Children First Foundation. This episode is an American English re-narration for NOVA, based on an Aussie original narration. At least both are alive. Very recommended, as the many space science episodes. The very first episode was "The Making Of A Natural History Film" first aired on the BBC as part of Horizon in October of 1972, originally narrated on British English by Paul Vaughan, renarrated in American English by (?). My nephew's favourite programme of #novapbs is "The Shape Of Things" first aired in February of 1985. All about plants, animals and more. Very recommended. This episode should be available on DVD soon. Also a episode named "The Death Of A Star" turns 30 years old this October 2017. DVD available on ShopPBS.org (remastered).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (9 ):

This series strives to present complex scientific concepts in easy-to-understand terms and is a great educational tool for teens and tweens. Younger kids can also get a lot from the show if they're able to pay attention, but parents may end up fielding some serious science questions from curious little ones who aren't able to grasp every detail. The show's subject material is wide-ranging and can include controversial topics like human cloning and sexuality, so parents may want to watch along with their kids, or pre-approve episodes on an individual basis. What makes NOVA such a stand-out series is that it really digs into the topic at hand, leaving no stone unturned as it seeks to reveal the human side of its scientific subjects. It's this thorough, investigative approach that makes NOVA such a great learning tool for families.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate