Popular Mechanics for Kids: Lightning and Other Forces of Nature
(Koch Vision $14.95 Score:) For kids who are weather fanatics this is a must see. Includes info on generators, a visit to Niagara Falls, an actual lightning storm, and a visit to the Boston Museum of Science. Hosted by two ’tween kids, this is really informative and engaging.

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2007.

Who Lives in the Sea?
(Dive Into Your Imagination $17.99 Score:)

One of three stunning underwater videos. This one opens by comparing kids learning to swim underwater with the many forms of life in the sea. The film of the inhabitants of the sea is striking! Informative and entertaining, this is broken into "chapters" so it need not be watched in its entirety in one sitting. We especially enjoyed the images of those scavengers the nudi, nudi, nudibranchs and the eight armed animals and how they use their tentacles to feed! Also, from the same company, Dive Into Diversity, which includes amazing undewater footage of a kept forest, crusty crustatians and night diving scenes. Done with English and Spanish tracks this is a good choice for 5-10 and their adults.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

What Makes a Fish a Fish?
(Dive Into Your Imagination $17.99 Score:)

One of three stunning underwater videos. This includes the hide and seek of the coral reef, how fishes get clean, close up looks at a variety of Frogfish, and among others a section on sharks that kids will gasp over! The film footage is striking! Informative and entertaining, this is broken into "chapters" so it need not be watched in its entirety in one sitting. Also excellent from the same company, Dive Into Diversity,  which includes the crusty crustaceans, night diving and a sensational view of an underwater forest of kelp. The film footage is striking!  Done with English and Spanish tracks these are a good choice for 5-10 and their adults.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Mysterious Life of Caves
(WGBH $19.95 Score:) Take an armchair trip into the depths of caves where scientists are exploring yet another frontier. Travel into the Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico's Lechuguilla, and Cueva de Villa Luz in Mexico. Notably, for 'tweens and teens, there is another implicit lesson worth noting; most of the scientists on the screen and in the caves happen to be women. Like their counterparts in outer space, these explorers represent intriguing models that both girls and boys may consider for careers. 60 mins. 10 & up. (800) 949-8670.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2004.

Nova: Welcome to Mars
(WGBH $19.95 Score:) With all the attention to Mars’ recent close encounter with Earth, this film gives you a chance to land with the Mars rovers and get a look around. The drama of off-again/on-again robotic communication gives us a sense of the frustrations and triumphs of those who explore the distant frontier of space. 10 & up.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2006.