Here are some good options if you’re thinking of a PBS show about science (both classic and current):

Most iconic PBS science show

  • NOVA – The flagship PBS science documentary series, covering physics, space, engineering, medicine, climate, and more, with one-hour deep-dive episodes.
  • Style: Serious, documentary-style, often focused on one big scientific question or breakthrough per episode.
  • Example topics: Black holes, pandemics, ancient engineering, quantum physics, climate change.

Other popular PBS science series

  • Nature – Focuses on wildlife, ecosystems, and the natural world with stunning visuals and a mix of science and storytelling.
  • PBS Space Time – A digital-first series from PBS that gets very deep into astrophysics, cosmology, and theoretical physics (time, black holes, multiverse, etc.).
  • Eons – A PBS Digital Studios series about the deep history of life on Earth, evolution, and prehistoric ecosystems.
  • Be Smart – Short, explanatory videos that answer “why/how” questions in everyday science in an accessible way.
  • Weathered – Explores extreme weather, climate science, and how climate change affects storms, droughts, and disasters.

Kid-focused PBS science shows

  • Science Trek – A short-form series aimed at elementary-age kids, introducing topics in science, space, tech, and the human body, often paired with classroom resources.
  • Emphasis on STEM careers and making science approachable and fun for children.

Classic/archival PBS science titles

  • A Science Odyssey – A multi-part PBS series from the late 1990s that traces the history of major scientific fields (medicine, physics/astronomy, human behavior, technology, earth and life sciences).
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy – Not produced by PBS itself but made by Seattle public TV station KCTS with public-broadcast support; it’s a fast-paced, humorous science education show that many people associate with the PBS ecosystem.

If you were thinking of a specific title…

Common answers to “that PBS science show” are:

  • For adults: NOVA (most likely) or Nature.
  • For space/physics nerds: PBS Space Time.
  • For kids: Science Trek or Bill Nye the Science Guy (depending on what you watched growing up).

If you tell me:

  • whether you mean kids or adults,
  • roughly what years you watched it,
  • and any detail (host, experiments, wildlife, space, classroom vibe),

I can narrow down which exact PBS science show you likely have in mind.