NOVA scienceNOW 2005
Distributed by WGBH Boston, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134; 617-300-2000
Produced by Samuel Fine
Directed by Alan Ritsko
DVD, color, 168 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Science, Weather, Stem Cell Research
Date Entered: 12/12/2006
Reviewed by Gerald Notaro, University Librarian, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida, St. PetersburgNOVA scienceNOW, a series broadcast on PBS, is produced by the NOVA team. Each episode contains segments in a news magazine format, as educational yet less lofty than 60 Minutes, more serious and infinitely more entertaining than Inside Edition. It clearly demonstrates that quick editing and a bit of pizzazz does not have to equate with the dumbing down of material. The DVD series has the original host of NOVA scienceNOW, Robert Krulwich, a popular and respected media journalist whose credentials include everything from a law degree from Columbia, to bureau chief assignment for Rolling Stone magazine. His appeal is universal, as is the reporting. Each episode of the series contains segments on current and hot topics such as stem cell research, New Orleans dodging the full brunt of Hurricane Ivan but speculating the consequences of a direct hit, and the possible discovery of a new human species. The technical credits are as expected with NOVA: exceptional. Teachers using the DVD for classroom use will appreciate the included HTML link to teaching materials that can be downloaded from the Internet. Accessibility options include closed captioning and video descriptions.