Some science television perspective from a parallel universe where nobody has heard of Mr Wizard or Bill Nye (ok, I confess I saw him in Stargate).
Australia's ABC used to have a show by US Professor Julius Sumner Miller http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/whyisitso/ in the 60s. The ABC's stodginess and budget made it much like watching a grumpy old lecturer which I like but interestingly not much attempt to direct things to kids at all.
I have a son who watches Backyard Science https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_Science which is presented by kids. He also likes shows like Operation Ouch and Deadly 60. And lots of animated fantasy crap besides.
It is interesting to look at how presentation has changed over the years but I am fairly sure you could pick a show from the 60s, 70s or 2010s and find someone demonstrating the same phenomenon in almost identical manner despite the window dressing.
I went with my son to ANU's travelling Questacon Science Circus recently and it was packed. My guess is interest in science education hasn't diminished that much, just that people don't notice it so much due to all the competition.
I've had Julius Sumner Miller stuck in my head for the last few weeks, but have utterly failed to remember his name. Thank you so much for saving me from this hell!
I watched his videos in junior high; they're absolutely amazing, not least because of their lack of frills.
Australia's ABC used to have a show by US Professor Julius Sumner Miller http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/whyisitso/ in the 60s. The ABC's stodginess and budget made it much like watching a grumpy old lecturer which I like but interestingly not much attempt to direct things to kids at all.
In the 70s and 80s commercial television made the Curiosity Show https://www.youtube.com/user/curiosityshow which was a bit more sophisticated.
I have a son who watches Backyard Science https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backyard_Science which is presented by kids. He also likes shows like Operation Ouch and Deadly 60. And lots of animated fantasy crap besides.
It is interesting to look at how presentation has changed over the years but I am fairly sure you could pick a show from the 60s, 70s or 2010s and find someone demonstrating the same phenomenon in almost identical manner despite the window dressing.
I went with my son to ANU's travelling Questacon Science Circus recently and it was packed. My guess is interest in science education hasn't diminished that much, just that people don't notice it so much due to all the competition.