Those crazy kids of ours; there isn’t much that’s too silly for them. Even a cartoon alien with a voice like Bobcat Goldthwait doesn’t faze them. But if they’re laughing while they’re learning - even if we’re cringing - then we shouldn’t complain too loudly, right?

The bloggers were eager to check out The Zula Patrol - a PBS show that focuses on science. Considering that “kid-oriented science shows are few and far between“, the change of pace was welcomed:

• “The Zula Patrol is a show designed specifically to teach kids science. That’s a laudable goal, and it’s why I wanted to review it…“
• “I’m glad to have found The Zula Patrol to help me foster an interest in science in my girls.“
• “[My sons] have been interested in space for a long time, and not just because of Buzz Lightyear. One of their favorite videos as young toddlers (and even older) was Baby Galileo. Even adult shows capture their attention.“
• “My 3 year old son is kind of brainy and likes facts more than anything else in the world…Facts are his thing. Zula Patrol has tons of facts in it so it was perfect for him.“

The episodes are “well researched and put together by a team of scientists, astronauts and educational specialists,” and “the storyline seamlessly integrates a fun energetic tale with music and thorough scientific exploration. The show carefully reexamines and questions the key points at the end of the tale, teaching both problem solving and language skills.” Another mother agreed, noting that “the storylines work on multiple levels - they offer kid-friendly but not condescending explanations of scientific phenomena, plus warm and fuzzy storylines about concepts like friendship and sharing, plus cool! outer-space! adventure!”

Both parents and kids enjoyed the science lessons that were presented in the episodes:

• “Did you know that you can tell sedimentary rock by dropping it into vinegar to see if it bubbles? Nah, I didn’t. But my kids think this is cool. And I probably once knew that there are volcanoes on moons of other planets, but I hadn’t really thought of it until I saw the cartoon of one spouting snow on Io: gotta love the rapid temperature changes around Jupiter!“
• “…to the delight of my fourth grader, it was thorough and exactly right on the topic. The Multo Moment, where the show goes into greater detail with less excitement, was a big hit. At the end of the episode, the four kids who were watching could tell me the three types of rocks, and in my book, that’s a bonus.“
• “…living in Hawaii, this was a great episode for [my daughter] in helping her to understand how volcanoes really work. All she usually sees is the eruption. This gave her an insight into what happens beneath the earth’s surface.“
• “The science contained in The Zula Patrol, especially in segments like Multo Moment, is sound; it’s depicted accurately and at an age-appropriate level.“

But the older and wiser viewers were a bit cynical where it came to the non-scientific messages incorporated into each episode:

• “Us grown-ups also thought the touchy-feely storylines felt forced, in a “can’t we all just get along?” kind of way; but the kids didn’t notice or care.“
• “The thought that a volcano wouldn’t erupt because he didn’t want to bug his neighbors was laughable to my older kids.“
• “The prosocial elements of the episode contradict and end up potentially negating the science that is taught. Volcanoes can’t hold in their incipient eruptions, and even if they could, it wouldn’t be because they felt ashamed of being volcanoes.“

And a few of the parents were ready to pop in their earbuds after the umpteenth viewing:

• “My only problem was the quality of the speaking voices. A few of them grated, but it didn’t seem to affect the kids at all.“
• “The one negative that I found (that did not seem to bother my son at all) was the narrator’s voice, which bugged me a bit at first. I just thought it wasn’t necessary that his voice seemed oversimplified and babyish when the entire video was so factual and intelligent.“
• “It is as if the developers of this show believed that kids wouldn’t attend to the science unless they sold it by having characters sing it, or scream it, or talk about it in silly voices. I think kids deserve more credit than that.“

One mother gave the audio the benefit of the doubt, suggesting that “their comical voices and colorful scenery help to keep kids tuned in.” Another mother agreed, noting “the crisp vibrant graphics in this show not only make for enjoyable viewing but also provide concise memorable illustrations of the material presented. Even children who may not have a deep interest in science will definitely be drawn in by the bubbly characters and well thought out plot lines.”

All in all, the kids not only tuned in, but they retained the lessons. As one blogger described it: “The fast-pace of the brightly colored cartoons keeps up the enthusiasm of the mission while the carefully crafted reinforcements of the material keep the information fresh.”

In other words, the kids are engaged and learning. Not a small accomplishment for a TV show.

More blogger reviews of the Zula Patrol to come - see the schedule below!

Mon 9/17 - Mommy Needs Coffee
Tues 9/18 - Domestic Diva
Wed 9/19 - Ruth Dynamite
Thurs 9/20 - Three Kid Circus
Fri 9/21 - Bananas and Toddlers
Mon 9/24 - Midwestern Mommy
Tues 9/25 - Pundit Mom
Wed 9/26 - Round-Up Review on PBN