Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspiring ocean docu; some intense circle-of-life moments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
OceanXplorers
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
OCEANXPLORERS is a docuseries that follows ocean scientists using a state-of-the-art research vessel to discover the secrets of the ocean and its creatures. Each episode focuses on a different species, and experts use the ship's technology to discover answers to their research curiosities. In the humpback whale episode, researchers aim to learn more about whale courtship rituals, mother and baby pairs as they prepare for migration, and why whales migrate to a spot near the Dominican Republic to mate. Scientists climb into deep sea submersibles and helicopters, race to place tags and video cameras on whales, and deploy deep sea microphones to find the answers to their questions. James Cameron (director of Titanic and Avatar) is on board the ship too, and helps to explain the scientific discoveries. With its incredible video footage, OceanXplorers provides an up-close view of the ocean's most magnificent creatures.
Is It Any Good?
Kids who are into animals, science, and technology (and probably also kids who don't think they're into those things) will love this series. OceanXplorers' fantastic underwater cinematography shows off the wonders of the deep in a really compelling way. All the technology on the boat makes science seem super cool (though adults may roll their eyes at the over-the-top, made-for-TV hologram visualization room). Some of the events are dramatized a bit for television, but it's still interesting to see real scientists doing research out in nature. Kids and grown-ups alike will learn interesting facts about the ocean's creatures (like: newborn humpback whales drink 50 gallons of milk a day). There's something for everyone in this entertaining show, making it a great watch for the whole family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the researchers' curiosity. How do scientists on the OceanXplorer decide what to research, and how do they test their predictions?
Do any of the jobs on the OceanXplorer seem interesting to you? What kind of school or training do you think you would need to be able to do that job?
Are there any creatures you saw on the show that you would like to learn more about? How do you think you could learn more about them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 18, 2024
- Cast: James Cameron , Aldo Kane , Zoleka Filander
- Network: Disney+
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: STEM , Ocean Creatures , Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: August 30, 2024
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