Science Seekers: Safe Water

Reviewed by Ange Kenos
Published by Tom Snyder Productions

Age Group: Age 8 and Up
Type: Science, Teaching Tools
Price: $70

PC version requires:
P 166, Windows 98/95, 16MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM, Quicktime 3.0 or later, large screen and thousands of colours

Mac version requires:
Power PC, 132 MHz, System 7.5.5, 10MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM, Quicktime 3.0 or later, large screen and thousands of colours

Description:

This is part of a series of interactive software CDs developed in cooperation with one of the finest museums in the world, and you will not be disappointed.

The CDs are intended to be a teaching tool and while some enterprising students and their families may wish to use them at home, they are best targeted for the school class room. Some home schools may be interested in the software but, again, the work requires some group activity.

You are guided along by a series of activities and questions. Everything is simple to understand and so easy to follow. There are short videos, slides and questions relating to these items. The study is based on a small town. Students proceed only by completing a section, and then progressing to the next one.

All materials required to complete an activity are clearly listed, all that the students need to do is to prepare those materials and to think. There is a supportive manual which lists all the required work sheets and which lists all questions to be answered. This manual goes hand in hand with the scientific activities that are undertaken by the groups.

Features:

  • Thinking skills
  • Reading skills
  • Team building skills
  • Vocabulary
  • Word construction
  • Multi-level difficulty

Technical Aspects:

There is no need to install the CD, and thus waste hard drive memory. The programs runs off the CD and with absolute ease. What more can I say?

Report and Conclusions:

I would disagree with anyone who may argue that the software is suitable for science alone. I could also teach a number of geography units very well from this material. Indeed, as a teacher I must state that I am impressed with just how well the production team have considered both the teacher and the student.

The graphics are great without question, but I would have preferred larger type for the text printed over the video program

I love a CD that is both Mac and Win compatible. This means that I can use it either on my Imac or my wife's Notebook computer. This only adds to the professional delight in using this wonderful software.