Educational TV Guide for STEM:
Inspirational STEM Movies and TV Shows to Supplement Your Student's Learning
Skilled educators understand that each individual learns differently and through various methods.
Gone are the days when educators restricted themselves to dry textbooks detailing bullet-pointed lesson plans with premeditated takeaways for kids.
There’s a time and place for textbooks and a time and place for other learning sources, too.
And film and TV can be legitimate sources of learning.
This notion is often especially true for STEM
subjects – a broad acronym encompassing the
disciplines of
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
These subjects are often viewed as the least accessible for many students. However, through insightful and entertaining movies and TV shows, these subjects can be seen through real-life, relevant stories that ignite interest and further discussion.
The crucial element to remember here is that we are not suggesting these films and TV shows replace science teaching in classrooms, but that they can supplement learning at home and serve as a jumping-off point to further study of various scientific themes.
This guide will cover and summarize significant movies and TV shows that can inspire students to learn more about the STEM fields. We’ll also direct readers to additional resources for further STEM learning.
15
Movies for STEM Students
Naturally, STEM covers various possible topics and subject matter across science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
We’ve selected a few movies that reflect fantastic opportunities to supplement various modules at schools across the country without focusing too much on any area of study. These movies can educate and inform but also entertain! Kids often learn best when engaged, so don’t feel guilty about choosing something overtly fun!
March of the Penguins is a French documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman that details the trials and tribulations of a penguin colony in Antarctica. The film emotively describes the long and arduous process that emperor penguins go through each year to raise their young. The movie is full of stunning, captivating visuals of the frozen tundra. The cinematic journey that mirrors the literal journey tugs at the heartstrings at various emotional moments.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
The documentary offers fascinating insights into animal adaptations and the harsh realities of the animal kingdom. There are also valuable lessons to be learned about the tundra biome and what life is like near the South Pole.
Fed Up is a documentary featuring plenty of talking heads that takes a deep dive into nutrition in the US. Specifically, it looks at the obesity epidemic and the food industry’s role in aggravating it alongside some inadequate government responses.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
Besides the fascinating insights into the human body and the role that different nutritional elements play in our health, the film also serves as a useful example of the role that scientists can play in shaping research that can lead to policy making. Too often, science feels removed from reality. There is an example of nutritional scientists trying to have their say in how Americans should eat.
The Lorax is a cautionary tale - a film adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book. In the world of The Lorax, trees no longer exist. The main character Ted lives in a walled city where everything is synthetic - metals, plastics, and other man-made materials. Beyond the walls lies nothing but a desolate wasteland. The movie follows Ted’s journey as he learns about what led to the destruction of nature.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
At the movie’s core is a strong environmentalist and conservational message. Kids that watch this movie will want to learn more about how they can help the planet, so it can work as an inspirational beginning to a module discussing topics concerning the environment and the human threats related to pollution, deforestation etc.
The Imitation Game tells a dramatized version of the true story of how Alan Turing and his team cracked the Nazi Enigma code during WW2. From their base in Bletchley Park, the MI6 agents have 24 hours each day to try and crack the code that will help with the war effort. Turing constructs a code-breaking machine that is a forerunner to today’s computers.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
The movie relates to STEM in that it showcases some fantastic experimental, out-of-the-box thinking. The students must find innovative solutions to the issues they face, tackling problems with a trial-and-error mentality that can serve as inspiration to take into STEM classes.
The Lego Movie shares the story of a LEGO construction worker, prophesied as ‘special’, as he joins a quest to prevent an evil tyrant from destroying the LEGO universe.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
While perhaps not immediately springing to mind as an educational movie, The Lego Movie actually speaks to finding creative solutions to construction problems. The main character, Emmet, consistently needs to problem-solve and think laterally to find engineering solutions.
First Man casts Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstong, the titular ‘First Man’ on the moon. The film follows Armstrong's progress as an astronaut at NASA during the 1960s and his training leading up to the moon landing of 1969. The film is part biography of Armstrong and part story of the space race as Armstrong has to take part in dangerous test flights in the lead-up to Apollo 11’s successful mission.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
The captivating cinematic journey that the film takes should entice anybody wanting to know about space and the history of space flight. It can be a fantastic introduction to any school module that looks into our solar system.
Finding Nemo tells the story of a lost clownfish and his father’s attempts to navigate the oceans to get him back. Nemo’s dad, Marlin, is overly cautious and attempts to shield his son from the dangers of the world. Nemo, with a shortened fin, tries to swim to the surface to prove himself but is caught by a diver. This sets in motion Marlin’s quest to get Nemo back as Nemo himself plots his escape from a fish tank.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
The creators deliberately tried to make the film as factually correct as possible to offer opportunities for learning. Children can learn about the ecosystems of a coral reef, the kinds of animals that dwell in the deepest parts of the ocean, ocean currents, how some organisms live in symbiotic partnerships, and other things by watching Finding Nemo.
Gattaca is a sci-fi movie that covers issues related to genetic engineering. The protagonist, Vincent, is born an "in-valid", which means he was born naturally without genetic enhancement. This consigns him to a life of menial labor while other “Valids” essentially rule as a superior class. The film explores this reality as the main character seeks to break free from his disenchanted existence.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
There are plenty of rich themes to discuss with teens concerning the morals of science. Teachers or parents could build lessons and discussions on Bioethics, genetic engineering, the concept of free will vs predestined existence, and the potential dangers of technological advancement.
This documentary showcases the lives of many notable engineers from various backgrounds worldwide. The film documents the intricate process of engineering projects from design, to construction, to completion. The film promotes the idea that kids can become engineers no matter where they come from.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
Dream Big is an inspiring film that presents the exciting story of how buildings and other engineering projects come to be.
Big Hero 6 is another fun, family-friendly animated movie to add to the list. It follows the lives of self-made superheroes who use their inventions to get out of all sorts of scrapes. The gang use their chemistry and engineering skills to defeat an evil scientist.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
Big Hero 6 is admittedly, at its core, a fun and engaging movie for kids. However, the application of various inventive STEM-related skills to find solutions is an inspiring message. The movie backs this up by stressing that teamwork is the key to finding those solutions - a vital reminder for anybody heading into a STEM-based project.
Staying with space, but from a different approach, Hidden Figures sheds light on the true story of the African-American female mathematicians who were instrumental in NASA’s success story. The movie spotlights how these women broke race and gender stereotypes on the way to making calculations that would ultimately lead to the moon landing.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
Over and above the obvious connection to space and space exploration, the movie focuses on the role that math played in NASA’s success. It is an excellent example of how math application can lead to amazing things. Away from STEM, the story itself has educational value as a way of reinforcing the notion that gender or race should not stand in anybody’s way of fulfilling their potential.
Fly away Home is the touching tale of how a group of orphaned goslings (baby geese) choose to stick to Amy, a 13-year-old, who replaces their mother. Amy is going through her own trauma with the death of her own mother and a move to a new city. Amy cares for the hatchlings and raises them through their infancy. Amy and her father research geese realize that the mother would usually teach them about their migratory path. Amy and her father must work out how to pass on this lesson to the geese.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
Fly Away home is a fantastic film that teaches children about life cycles and the notion of migration in birds. Away from biology, the film also has a rich underlying seam of emotional development in the main character.
Spare Parts tells the inspirational story of a ragtag group of students that build a robot to compete against a team from MIT in a national competition. From a poorly-funded high school, the group must work around a lack of resources to find innovative ways to design and construct their robot.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
The movie relates to STEM in that it showcases some fantastic experimental, out-of-the-box thinking. The students must find innovative solutions to the issues they face, tackling problems with a trial-and-error mentality that can serve as inspiration to take into STEM classes.
Underwater Dreams shares the fascinating story of how a group of Mexican immigrants’ sons compete against some of the most prominent universities in a robotics competition. Follow their journey as they take on the challenge of building underwater robots.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
The documentary tackles the technological challenges the protagonists face as they look to compete against the odds. However, the more important message is that outstanding technological/engineering achievements require determination.
The Martian follows the story of an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars and is forced to work out ways to survive. The film explores his problem-solving process as he uses his expertise to grow food and ensure he avoids the many possible dangers on Mars.
HOW IT RELATES TO STEM
While the film is science fiction, the movie explores various STEM principles as they could relate to terraforming Mars. The film highlights the need to strategize when trying to find solutions.
15
TV Shows for STEM Students
We can all be frustrated by the way in which kids seem to intrinsically reject the things that we push onto them for their benefit.
Whether it’s eating their greens, taking a break from the phone, or encouraging some reading time, sometimes kids have a way of avoiding what’s good for them, especially if it’s coming from the dreaded parents or teachers.
The trick is to find things that entertain while also informing.
These educational TV shows can supplement STEM learning at school while being disguised as ‘fun!’ to make parents and teachers feel a little less guilty of popping kids down in front of the TV.
1. Emily’s Wonder Lab
Description
Emily Calandrelli, a real-life former MIT engineer, brings her bubbly enthusiasm to various science experiments in the Netflix show Emily’s Wonder Lab. Each show features a safe DIY experiment to conduct at home with simple, easy-to-grasp takeaways skilfully explained by Emily.
How it relates to STEM
The relevance is self-evident here. From baking bread in solar-powered ovens to engineering a tornado within a plastic bottle, Emily enthusiastically showcases some fun, engaging scientific experiments that are entertaining yet informative.
2. Brainchild
Description
Following a similar format to Emily’s Wonder Lab, Brainchild relies on the quirky personality of host Sahana Srinivasan to break down complex scientific subjects into digestible lessons. However, whereas Emily’s show keeps things practical and encourages at-home participation, Brainchild conducts larger-than-life experiments that take deep dives into more complex topics like human psychology.
How it relates to STEM
Each episode covers various scientific concepts, often with a relatable message to students’ lives. For instance, when diving into human psychology, the show explores the effects of social media. In this way, the show tackles complex scientific topics often with a focus on relevancy to students’ lives.
3. Our Planet
Description
Narrated by David Attenborough, Our Planet is a staple for any educator looking to teach about our planet’s habitats, the animals within them, and the threats to our ecosystems. Our Planet could be replaced in this list by other Attenborough-narrated productions – they all offer fantastic storytelling matched with stunning, captivating visuals of our wonderful planet.
How it relates to STEM
The show does a fantastic job of telling narratives of animal lives while supporting this through actionable lessons. Students can find rich insights into ecosystems, life cycles, biomes, and how climate change is affecting our planet. Come for the cinematic imagery, stay for the education.
4. Absurd Planet
Description
Whereas Our Planet and other nature shows often treat nature with the utmost seriousness, Absurd Planet takes a different tone. The show embraces the weird and wonderful aspects of our world as the narrator, “Mother Nature”, shares the often bizarre details of her strangest creations. Highlights include the regional dialects of goats and the turtle-tear-drinking butterflies.
How it relates to STEM
Absurd Planet may be a little wacky, but it still teaches all sorts of engaging lessons about nature, and, as we all know, kids are often inspired by that which is most bizarre.
5. Curious George
Description
Curious George is, well…curious! Through his curiosity about the world around him, he often winds up learning a lot of science-related lessons. The wholesome little monkey and his ragtag bunch of friends, both animal and human, are cuteness personified. George’s sense of wonder at the world is emblematic of how children often feel, and this makes the show so appealing to kids of young ages.
How it relates to STEM
There are tons of STEM-based lessons related to Curious George’s adventures. As he explores a topic, the viewers go along for the ride and learn in the process.
6. The Magic School Bus
Description
Another animated classic, The Magic School Bus has been a staple for supplementary STEM learning for decades. The show follows Ms. Frizzle’s fourth-grade class as they head out on adventurous, magic field trips. As they go, they learn about the human body, fascinating chemistry phenomena, and simple physics principles.
How it relates to STEM
The show is literally about a class learning lessons. However, the field trips that Ms Frizzle takes the class on often take fun, unexpected wacky turns. In this way, the Magic School Bus is a classic example of how a TV show overtly based on learning can embrace a sense of wonder to appeal to young children.
Note: Check out the equally brilliant sequel, The Magic Bus Rides Again, for more adventures
7. Annedroids
Description
The star of the program is Anne, an eleven-year-old genius and budding scientist who enjoys using her skills in engineering and computer programming to find solutions. Throughout the series, she enthusiastically shares her knowledge with pals, who join her in exploring the potential of science in coming up with practical answers to challenges.
How it relates to STEM
Annedroids tackles a variety of scientific concepts in each episode. Since the show is live-action instead of animated, there is a feeling that the show is based in reality.
8. Mythbusters Jr.
Description
Presented by Adam Savage, this show is a spin-off of the popular show Mythbusters specifically aimed at kids. Each episode showcases a talented bunch of kids who band together to bust various myths via their chemistry, physics and popular culture know-how.
How it relates to STEM
Mythbusters Jr. features a bunch of practical applications of scientific concepts. In busting their myths, the team usually conducts some kind of small-scale scientific experiment that can be replicated at home.
9. Odd Squad
Description
The Odd Squad is the name given to a bunch of Mathe enthusiasts who use their mathematical abilities to find solutions to the issues presented in each episode. They travel the globe using math to solve various mysteries. Children can participate in the excitement and learn the value of cooperation and persistence while applying addition, subtraction, and other math concepts to solve issues.
How it relates to STEM
The show is very clearly oriented toward showing kids an answer to the age-old question, “But how do we use this?” The show does a great job of weaving math concepts into some real-world mysteries.
10. Numberblocks
Description
Suitable for the younger ones, Numberblocks follows a collection of personified numerical characters as they go on various adventures. The team can work together to combine to make other numbers (3 +2 = 5) as they go about their cute quests.
How it relates to STEM
The program gives kids a good introduction to fundamental mathematical ideas and promotes the development of their numeracy skills.
11. Blaze and The Monster Machines
Description
Blaze and The Monster Machines is an animated series for young children that follows the adventures of a monster truck and its human driver partnership, Blaze and AJ. Together, they solve complicated problems in their city
How it relates to STEM
During their escapades, the gang learn lessons on various STEM concepts, including buoyancy and trajectory. Each episode will include some educational elements.
12. Ask the StoryBots
Description
Ask the StoryBots is another cutesy animated series for younger viewers to help them find answers to the “Big Questions”. The show’s narrators, the colorful StoryBots that live in computer parts, help deconstruct various subjects for kids in narrative form. They use vibrant animation and songs to help engage the audience.
How it relates to STEM
Many episodes center around STEM topics, but not all. Recent episodes have covered DNA and the importance of recycling.
13. Earth to Luna!
Description
Luna explores the world around her with infectious enthusiasm. Along with her little brother Jupiter and her pet ferret, Clyde, she seeks to find answers to what things are and why and how scientific actions take place. She is fun and friendly, with helpful, catchy songs to explain things for kids.
How it relates to STEM
Earth to Luna teaches basic scientific concepts to young children, and it’s Luna’s infectious love for science that’s so wholesome. Recent episodes have explained the water cycle and the breadmaking process.
14. Helpsters
Description
From the makers of Sesame Street, Helpsters is an educational project featuring a crew of puppet monsters. Led by Cody, who is an expert coder, the gang solve problems big and small. The Helpsters encourage problem-solving skills and teamwork to find solutions.
How it relates to STEM
The Helpsters solve problems with a specific emphasis on pre-coding concepts. Young children can watch this tv show to appreciate how essential communication is toward a STEM-related goal.
15. Doozers
Description
From the imagination of Jim Henson, The Doozers follows the innovative Pod Squad as they play, invent, design, and engineer solutions to the challenges they face around them in the community of Doozer Creek, just out of view of the humans. The show is a spin-off of the series Fraggle Rock.
How it relates to STEM
The Pod Squad are constantly using their technical know-how to make new inventions and find solutions to problems in Doozer Creek. This shows young children that they can apply STEM skills to improve their communities.
learn more
These STEM movies and science TV shows for kids can be fantastic additional learning tools to supplement STEM education.
However, math-related movies and TV shows about technology can’t stand alone as a decent education.
Support learning with the following resources:
With Brainpop, kids and adults can enjoy educational animated films for grades K–12 that assist in demystifying and explaining concepts in math, science, and technology.
This source is a hub for plain-spoken explanations of how the things around us work.
NASA provides a whole bunch of educational resources to help kids learn about their space programmes.
This government resource provides plenty of STEM-related activities for a rainy day with various virtual field trips.
This resource, designed by Washington State University, allows children to discover all sorts of STEM-related concepts with a question-based enquiry.
Funology
Funology is a base for interactive STEM experiments that kids can do at home.
Code.org is a fantastic source that teaches the basics of coding.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium is another source jam-packed with STEM-related tasks, games, apps, and links to further sources for learning.
Extreme Science
For those kids more drawn to the extreme side of things. Wild and weird facts about nature and resources for at-home experiments.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies has over 1000 ideas for fun science projects to get kids engaged and involved with science.
Tynker
An engaging resource that lets kids experiment with basic programming skills.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an educational resource with simple, easy-to-follow math lessons and other STEM subjects, with courses from K-12.
Science Channel
As well as information on all the TV shows of the Science Channel, its website has various games to enjoy with a focus on learning.
Science National Geographic Kids
As well as information on all the TV shows of the Science Channel, its website has various games to enjoy with a focus on learning.
Weather Wiz Kids
Get answers to everything about meteorology with this resource that features fun facts, games, flashcards and photos.
Carnegie Cyber Academy
The Carnegie Cyber Academy teaches kids important lessons to help them keep safe while browsing the internet.
Cyberchase
Get involved in this quest from PBS – use math in games and puzzles to protect the digital universe from evil.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
Another PBS source, this time for pre-K learners. Let the iconic Cat in the Hat take kids on a STEM-learning adventure.
Conclusion
Parents and teachers are always on the lookout for supplementary resources to aid children’s learning.
Traditionally, STEM subjects prove the most challenging for many kids.
Contrary to what you may think, movies and TV can be excellent sources of learning, especially if they spark the intrigue that is so integral to kids wanting to learn more and apply what they learn.
Give STEM-related movies and TV shows a try to see if they can inspire students.