• Air date: 07 Sep '97 23 episodes
      Popular Mechanics for Kids is an educational Canadian television series based on Popular Mechanics magazine. It was notable for starting the careers of both Elisha Cuthbert and Jay Baruchel. The show's purpose was to teach viewers how things work. It was awarded the Parents Choice Award in 2003, and was nominated for the Gemini Awards. The series aired from 1997 to 2001, and re-runs of the show continued to air on many channels until 2008. It aired on BBC Kids and Discovery Kids until December 31, 2009. After the closure of Discovery Kids Canada, BBC Kids stopped airing re-runs in all countries except Canada. The reruns on BBC Kids in Canada ended on May 14, 2011. As of 2013 re-runs of the show continue to air on Knowledge Network. Along with Cuthbert and Baruchel, the cast included Charles Powell nicknamed "Charlie" for the series, Tyler Kyte, and eventually Vanessa Lengies. The show was filmed primarily in Montreal, Quebec, and is currently distributed on VHS / DVD by Koch Vision.
  • List of Episodes (23)
    • 1. Underground

      07 Sep '97
      Sewers Tunnels Subways Hydraulics
    • 2. Submarine

      14 Sep '97
      Large and small submarines are discussed along with sub fries and sub science.
    • 3. Hollywood FX

      21 Sep '97
      Demonstrations of Saloon Brawls are shown, Information on fake Blood and gun fights are told. Learning about how Boat Chases work.
    • 4. Zoos

      28 Sep '97
      Taking care of Elephants, and explaining about Termit Mounds and Iguanas.
    • 5. Cool Cars

      05 Oct '97
      Monster Trucks! Pit-Stops! Vegetable Oil used as Gas!
    • 6. Roller Coasters

      12 Oct '97
      This episode is about the science of Coasters, the thrill factor, marathons and the explanation of centripetal force.
    • 7. Sports

      19 Oct '97
      The exciting pitch in baseball. Bearings, Nike Shoes, and Mountain Biking are also viewed.
    • 8. Garbage

      26 Oct '97
      Landfills, Archaeology, Pigs, Recycling, and Compost.
    • 9. Boats

      02 Nov '97
      Information on Knots, the pirate ships in the sea, and the ocean police.
    • 10. Big Buildings

      09 Nov '97
      Blowing up buildings is demonstrated in this episode along with something about concrete and elevators for tall structures.
    • 11. Aircraft Carrier

      16 Nov '97
      The explanations of Catapults, and the take-off & landing of aircrafts on Carriers. Carrier Facts were produced.
    • 12. Zap!

      23 Nov '97
      Production of Lightning, The ER, and high-voltage wires.
    • 13. Food

      30 Nov '97
      Food-poisoning inspections, Making ice-cream in your home. The creation of bubble-gum and making some for yourself. Eating bugs for protein.
    • 14. Fire!

      07 Dec '97
      Forest-fires, water-bombers, airplane fires. How to stop burning houses.
    • 15. Aquariums

      14 Dec '97
      The collection of fish and how to build an aquarium. Information on sea-lion and different eco-systems.
    • 16. Toys And Games

      21 Dec '97
      Testing toys in the market, like Nintendo games. The creation of toys and games.
    • 17. Spaceships

      28 Dec '97
      Living in space, the use of space suits, and rocket ships.
    • 18. Androids And 'BOTS'

      04 Jan '98
      Bomb robots, Androids, and Robot Making.
    • 19. Greatest Hits #1

      11 Jan '98
      A collaboration of clips from the most exciting, fascinating, and educational episodes.
    • 20. Money

      18 Jan '98
      Minting at the Canadian Mint, Gold blocks that would be melted and shaped into coins, Trading at the the Stock Market, and how to spot counterfeit money.
    • 21. Fly

      25 Jan '98
      Crash survival, F-18's, hot-air balloons, and paper airplanes.
    • 22. Music Scene

      01 Feb '98
      Scratching used by DJs, concert mixing, concert lights, and creating speakers.
    • 23. Fly At Your Own Risk

      08 Feb '98
      Bike plane, body-flying, wing-walking, and boomerangs.