Science is an ever-evolving story. New facts and discoveries make this world we exist in an exciting and inspiring place to live. Although, just when you begin to think you know something science comes along and changes the way we perceive our environment. It can be a love—hate—relationship. For instance, when I was growing up Pluto was considered the Solar System’s ninth planet and the ferocious Trex was a “lizard like” cold blooded eating machine! Today, Pluto is NOT a planet and just a collection of objects called the Kuiper Belt, AND the Trex is more like a GIANT CHICKEN or ostrich. The thought of that completely wrecks the whole Jurassic Park concept! If that doesn’t boggle the brain, perhaps the research published in the journal of Current Biology about dinosaurs breaking enough wind (methane-producing bacteria) to alter the Earth’s climate will blow your mind! However you look at it, science is a fascinating subject for all ages!
This month as part of the Netflix Stream Team, if you have not already guessed it, the focus is about how to jump start your kids’ imaginations and get the whole family excited about the wonders of science. Even if you are not an enormous science buff, a simple project such as the light bulb experiment or tasty honeycomb candy recipe is a perfect way to inspire your child’s interest in science and is a fun way to create curiosity in the way things work. Who knows, maybe even a winning science fair idea will evolve from the activities!
How Stuff Works
Netflix has Season 1 and Season 2 of How Stuff Works ready to be instantly streamed for your entertainment! The series answers the questions about the stuff that makes the world go around which we normally might take for granted like beer, corn, salt, wheat, and coffee! In Season 2, learn about “How Summer Changed the World,” “Christmas Unwrapped,” Games Unboxed,” and more!
One of my favorite episodes from the series is “Cereal Beyond the Bowl.” This documentary takes a closer look at everything you never knew about cereal. It’s actually very interesting! Did you know cereal helped build the Roman Empire, fight World War II, and invent modern banking? In fact, virtually everything you eat is connected to some form, directly or indirectly, to cereal.
If you homeschool your child the How Stuff Works series is an excellent way to add a bit more science to their curriculum in a FUN way.
Netflix Science Titles
Netflix also has a variety of TV shows and movies that might help inspire blue ribbon-worthy science projects and encourage interest and problem-solving in little scientists. Check it out!
7. Mythbusters
2. Peep and the Big Wide World
3. Magic School Bus: All Dried Up
5. Wild Kratts
How do you spark your child’s imagination for science?
I didn’t know they had all these shows on Netflix. We love to watch How Do They Do It and How Stuff Works. We need to check out Is It Possible?. That sounds like a good show,