Science show, also known as a Scientific TV show, is a genre of television that blends theater techniques, eye-opening scientific demonstrations, and entertaining comedy to engage kids in learning while making fun. This type of show is most often hosted by a professional scientist in a lab coat or similar outfit, and the content of the program revolves around demonstrating the principles of various science topics.
The earliest examples of this type of show were probably the popular children’s series Watch Mr. Wizard, which ran from 1951 to 1965. The titular figure, a science hobbyist, performed gee-whiz scientific experiments and demonstrations for young viewers, encouraging thousands of Mr. Wizard Science Clubs to sprout up nationwide. A young Bill Nye was a fan of the show.
A more recent example is the National Geographic documentary series Science Fair: The Series, which follows teenagers as they work to solve global problems and compete for a spot in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Many of the students profiled are quirky nerds who have to battle naysayers both at school and at home, while others have the added stress of working on projects that could potentially save lives.
Another notable Science show is WGBH’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, a comedy science panel discussion aimed at adults. In addition to the regular panel members, guest scientists who are famous in their own right sometimes appear on the show. The show’s hosts try to keep the conversation as accessible as possible to nonscientific viewers, using language and terminology that’s more familiar to ordinary people than academics typically use in their writing and lectures.
In the same vein, Emily’s Wonder Lab is a kid’s science show that focuses on hands-on scientific explorations. The show is hosted by science communicator and former MIT engineer Emily Calandrelli, who leads her young audience through a variety of projects that involve the use of real-life equipment, such as glow-in-the-dark paint, water balloons, air cannons, and more. In each episode, the show’s host demonstrates the underlying science behind the experiment through clear, understandable explanations.
Despite the popularity of these kinds of shows, there is a lack of quality science programming available on the airwaves, which some argue has diminished their impact on the public. Fortunately, with the advent of online streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix, more and more science-based shows are being made available to an increasingly wide audience. These types of shows are proving that educational and entertaining content can be successfully combined, and they offer the promise of encouraging a new generation of scientific thinkers. With the right approach, these shows can help reclaim science from its reputation as dry and boring. It’s just a matter of time before a new generation of kids will grow up with the belief that science can be fun and exciting.