Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Zesty host injects absurdity into science demonstrations.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Science Max
What's the Story?
Not satisfied with just doing the kind of experiments that can be accomplished in a science classroom, SCIENCE MAX wants science writ large -- magnets strong enough to make a grown man levitate, a giant water slide that explains why boats float, or a catapult that demonstrates elasticity. Get your face-protection, your yellow lab coat, and join host Phil McCordic as he journeys into science.
Is It Any Good?
Manic, frantic, and lots of fun, this science show is like Mr. Wizard meets MythBusters. Host McCordic looks and acts like an overgrown kid who clearly relishes carrying out his experiments and visiting locations like a magnet factory or public pool. He's equally sharp in cutaway comic vignettes that demonstrate scientific properties in a manner that may remind parents of Alton Brown's old food show, Good Eats, like when Phil demos ferromagnetism by hurling doughnuts, paperclips, and a shoe at a big magnet. Science Max is a lot of fun, and since it's educational, parents feel good about junior scientists watching. Everyone wins!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Phil demonstrates curiosity on Science Max and in his tests. Is curiosity an important quality for scientists? What other character strengths are helpful?
Why does this show choose to demonstrate scientific properties that you can see rather than taste, feel, or smell? Consider some experiments or scientific concepts that would be difficult, impossible, or boring to show on TV.
Can you think of any women who appear on TV shows about science? Can women and girls be scientists? What about being scientists on TV?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 7, 2015
- Cast : Phil McCordic
- Network : Kidstream
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : STEM
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 10, 2025
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