Bill Nye: Stop the Rock

Reviewed by Ashley Collins
Published by Pacific Interactive

Age Group: Age 8 and Up, Adults
Type: Science
Price: $35.00 US

PC version requires:
486/66, 8M RAM, Windows, CDx2

Mac version requires:
68040, 8MB RAM, 6MB free hard disk space, System 7.1, CDx2

Description:

Only you and Bill can save the world from a gigantic meteoroid speeding towards Earth! MAAX (meteoroid and asteroid explorer) can stop the meteoroid, but he's developed a HAL-like personality, and won't unless you solve seven earth science riddles. Explore Nye Labs to find clues to the riddles. Submit your clues to Bill and the other scientists for feedback. They'll help you out. You only have five days to solve all the riddles, so work fast but have fun. As always, Bill Nye's goal is to make science fun.

Features:

  • Seven mind challenging riddles
  • 17 high-powered pieces of equipment demonstrate science
  • Star Appeal - millions of kids watch him every week, providing a built-in audience
  • 20 learning objectives to master - all adapted from the National Science Education Standards Manual
  • Lots of jokes and funny antics to enjoy - just what you'd expect from the Science Guy
  • Answers are not just given to the player, they must be discovered by examining objects, pictures, and equipment in the lab
  • Players must use the scientific method to first research, then test theories, and come to a conclusion
  • Pacific Interactive's web site has hints if you need help

Technical Aspects:

Installed easily and no technical problems appeared.

Report and Conclusions:

This program is very educational in regards to earth science. It features a "smart cursor" to make the program easier to use. Also, the other scientists are hilarious. The biggest problem is replayability: there's very little. The questions are the same every time, so once you've solved it, most kids of the age this is targeted at will probably get bored with it. Younger kids will enjoy playing with the lab equipment, but won't be able to solve the riddles. Also, the riddles are pretty difficult; I'm a college geology major, and I had a hard time with them.




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