When I was a kid there was a program on TV called Mr. Wizard. Since most of you are older like me I bet it is familiar. Mr. Wizard was actually a fella named Don Herbert. In a typical program a young child would join him in performing a science experiment that taught the viewers some aspect of science. The experiments were often done with things that could be found around the house. The program I estimate was about 90% science and 10% small talk. Mr. Wizard lasted for a number of years but is no longer on the air.
Today there is program on television that has a similar objective. It's called Beakman's World. It's similar in that it teaches science to children by performing experiments but in style it couldn't be further from Mr. Wizard.
Don Herbert was the only regular member of Mr. Wizard's on-camera staff and he dressed in either a lab coat or in regular street clothes depending on the activity. Mr. Wizard also spoke to his young assistants in a normal voice but in language simple enough for his young audience to understand.
Beakman's World has a cast of characters all wearing wild costumes. The show features much mugging into the camera and a wide array of goofy sound effects. The show appears to be 70% antics and 30% science.
The small bit of science is wrapped in so much unrelated nonsense that it seems to gets lost in the noise.
Is there any wonder why kids today can't stay focused?
In my college days my favorite classes were lectures. Straight up lectures. No discussion, just listen to the professor for the entire hour. I learned so much that way but could today's youth sit still and intently listen for an hour? Obviously some could but does a show like Beakman's World prepare them for this?
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