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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

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age 8+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Coco122
Coco122 Adult
March 9, 2020
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!
PBSFanFromChile
PBSFanFromChile Parent of 10-year-old
November 4, 2016
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).
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

First airing in 1974, PBS's NOVA is the highest-rated science program on TV and has won dozens of awards, including multiple Emmy, Peabody, and Westinghouse Science Journalism honors. The series takes a documentary-style approach to its topics -- each episode exposes and explores many layers of the subject at hand, with an emphasis on the human factor. Episodes cover everything from global warming to a mysterious, modern-day Turkish family that walks on all fours. One program may delve into the mysteries of the ancient Mayans, while another reveals advances in finding a cure for cancer. The approach is always scientific, and most episodes also offer lessons in history, current events, culture, and other scholarly data.

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how a topic on NOVA relates to their own lives, the lives of people they know, and the world at large.

  • Parents and kids can conduct further research to learn more and to find answers to questions that arose while watching the show. For example, after viewing the episode "Monsters of the Milky Way," families may want to discuss string theory and how it relates to tiny black holes. How can "interference patterns" help prove the existence of tiny black holes? If tiny black holes do indeed exist within our solar system, how might they affect space travel, and even our daily lives? PBS's online teacher's guides provide additional discussion topics.

  • How does NOVA promote curiosity? Why is this an important character strength?

TV Details

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