The Province, March 31, 1956 — “Mr. Wizard,” Don Herbert’s award-winning science show for children, which began with a 14-station network in March, 1951, at the NBC studios in Chicago, is celebrating its fifth year with a 140-station network. Saturday at 12 on 4.
THE PROGRAM — now originating in New York every Saturday — has an estimated viewing audience of 3,000,000 children. The attraction is a 38-year-old former teacher-actor who has the ability to bring the magic of science in everyday living to the level of child’s comprehension.
HERBERT BELIEVES even young children are capable of absorbing complex scientific principles if they are properly presented. “When a child shows curiosity about what makes an airplane fly,” he declares, “that child is ready for a simplified explanation of aerodynamics.” All Herbert’s explanations are illustrated with experiments employing familiar household objects.
Today “MR. WIZARD” has won 13 national awards (including the Peabody). Herbert considers the mushrooming of his science clubs to be the best proof of the program’s success. Today more than 100,000 youngsters are enrolled in some 5,000 Mr. Wizard science clubs throughout America.
ALAN YOUNG
Ex-Vancouverite Alan Young plays a lawyer duped by a woman who has made a repeat performance of the perfect crime in “This Will Do Nicely” on “Studio One” Monday, April 2.
