Journeys of Invention: Science and Technology from Past to Present
Journeys of Invention: Science and Technology from Past to Present gallery
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Journeys of Invention: Science and Technology From Past to Present is a comprehensive resource that teaches kids about some of the major developments in science. Kids can explore on their own or follow one of the pre-set journeys. There are more than 80 interactive objects to discover, and each object includes at least 1 interactive image and a description. There's a lot of reading involved, and no actual gameplay, so the app will likely appeal most to kids who already have an interest in learning about science history. Considering the price tag, you can have your kid watch the demo video to see how much it appeals.What kids can learn
Many of the graphics are interactive, and the information is fascinating, but there's a lot of text to read and interactivity is mostly limited to rotating and zooming in on objects.
Kids are empowered to explore at their own pace, and they learn mostly by reading and interacting with images. Unfortunately, there's no opportunity to apply knowledge after a journey is complete.
Navigation is intuitive but a little tricky. Since there's no audio support, kids who aren't fluent readers will have trouble.
What's it about?
JOURNEYS OF INVENTION: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FROM PAST TO PRESENT empowers kids to explore over 80 objects at their own pace, or they can select from 1 of 14 journeys on the home page. For example, kids can choose Journey 7, Minds and Machines, to explore scientists, objects, and discoveries, beginning with Charles Babbage's brain and ending with a 3D visualization of the Internet. This journey focuses on the story of how the best minds have contributed to making more intelligent machines. All journeys are interconnected, so kids can stray from their selected journey.
Is it any good?
Journeys of Invention: Science and Technology From Past to Present provides a rich history of major scientific milestones with interactive, museum-like objects. The information is fascinating and the graphics are engaging. It's nice that kids have the choice to either explore on their own or to follow a themed journey, but since journeys are interconnected, it can be tricky to navigate: Kids may find themselves straying easily from a journey, losing a sense of the timeline. There is a lot of text to read, so an audio option could help. And with the steep price tag, it would be great to see an opportunity for kids to apply what they learned.
Families can talk about...
-
Families can talk about the importance of different inventions and the impact they have had on society. For example, discuss how Hooke's invention of the microscope led to an understanding of cells and living things.
-
Have kids choose a journey and create a timeline to show a streamlined version of what they learn. Encourage them to do some research on particular scientists or inventions.
App details
| Device: | iPad |
| Price: | $9.99 |
| Pricing structure: | Paid |
| Release date: | February 4, 2015 |
| Category: | Education |
| Topics: | History, Science and nature |
| Size: | 1100.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Touchpress Limited |
| Version: | 1.1.1 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 7.0 or later |
