Review

Beakman's World

Common Sense Media says

Madcap science show makes learning a thrill.
Age
7
Quality
 

  • Kids learn about inertia, friction, simple machines, famous scientists, the natural world, and a wide range of other scientific concepts in a fun, exciting way and through a variety of presentation methods. The validity of the information is complemented by the cast's use of slapstick, puns, and comical costumes, all of which entices young viewers and ensures secures their attention.
  • Plenty of playful put-downs, but otherwise the characters work together to answer questions. Some gross-out humor (nose-picking, farting, and burping). The series sparks curiosity about all aspects of scientific exploration and discovery in a fun, kid-friendly way. Each episode explores two new concepts relating to astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biology, all in a manner that's relevant to and easily comprehended by kids.
  • Beakman's philosophy teaches kids to read and explore their way to answers for their questions about how things work. He uses a variety of methods to illustrate complicated scientific concepts like the water cycle, gravity, and how volcanoes form, and he makes learning fun. The cast also promotes basic lab safety by wearing protective gear in their experiments and reminding kids to get parents' permission before conducting any tests on their own. Lester is chronically grumpy and disgruntled, often using sarcasm and wisecracks to express his displeasure with his job. The three female assistants are a bit ditzy.
  • Characters get charred by explosions and bop each other on the head, but it's all in good fun.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Beakman's World is a fantastic educational series that teaches kids about scientific concepts from dinosaurs to sound frequency and everything in between. Each episode focuses on two or three concepts, which are explored through video footage, experiments, and models that illustrate the topics on a grade-schooler's comprehension level. The cast often reminds viewers of safety protocols like wearing protective gear and cautions them against replicating experiments without a parent's help. Gross-out humor and topics like pimples, snot, and, yes, farts are fair game in this show, likely to the delight of its young audience.


This review of Beakman's World was written by

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