The Henry Ford Innovation Nation
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Smart STEM series celebrates invention, inspires curiosity.
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The Henry Ford Innovation Nation
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What's the Story?
THE HENRY FORD INNOVATION NATION introduces viewers to modern visionaries who are solving problems and filling needs with their inventions. Hosted by Mo Rocca, each episode spotlights new products like levitating light, microscopic windmills, and an app that allows people to interact with their pets from remote locations, with the inventors explaining how and why their creations came to be. There also are segments that give insight into exhibits in The Henry Ford Archive of American Innovation and the impact these noteworthy products had on how people lived in the past.
Is It Any Good?
This award-winning series is a true gem, exceedingly entertaining and educational for viewers of nearly any age. In the course of one episode, viewers meet a handful of inventors and learn about their creations, get a brief but exclusive tour of a notable feature of the acclaimed Detroit museum, and get to hear inspiring words and advice from visionaries already on the job of solving problems and improving lives.
There's the small matter of Innovation Nation inadvertently doubling as a marketing device for those products and software that are featured on the show, but the intent clearly is to educate and inspire, not to promote. This show is an excellent pick for the whole family, presenting STEM concepts on a learning level appropriate even for youngsters and encouraging viewers to give new thought to solving problems with science and technology.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what effect, if any, the featured inventions in Innovation Nation have on their own lives. Have you seen the products in use, or do you reap the benefits of them indirectly? What problems do they help solve?
Kids: What STEM concepts interest you the most? How does knowledge of science and math help you in your everyday life? Are technological advances always a positive thing, or are there instances in which they cause new problems?
What challenges do innovators face when creating or trying something new? Do you get discouraged when you fail at something the first time? How do you stay motivated to try again?
Families can talk about curiosity. Why is it an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 1, 2013
- Cast: Mo Rocca
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: March 1, 2022
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