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Educational: 4.6
Overall Design: 4.6
Ease of Use: 4.8
(4.0 = good, 4.5 = very
good, 5.0 = excellent)
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Program Description Commentary Who Is This Program For
Why We Selected This Program Computer Requirements
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Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus Explores Bugs is an interactive tutorial and adventure game that explores the wide world of bugs in all its diversity.
The program introduces the familiar Magic School Bus characters in their classroom setting (see top right) where it is discovered that bugs are missing from each of their four bug collections. After familiarizing themselves with the characters’ bug projects (and learning the difference between insects, arachnids, and other bug relatives) the player can undertake the task of recovering the four missing bugs by taking a trip on the Magic School Bus.
While the classroom and the characters’ projects are informative, the most exciting part of this tutorial involves taking the bus to visit the four different habitats of the missing bugs (pond, jungle, forest, and meadow - see right))
In each habitat, numerous bugs can be found, and by clicking on one, the player can receive an informative description of that bug from one of the characters. Each habitat is home to one of the missing bugs, and the teacher provides the player with clues as to that bugs identity. Once the player has identified the bug, he or she can use the net to catch it and return it to its home in the classroom. Upon completion of the mission, the player can opt to continue exploring or to start the adventure over with new bugs to find. In this way, the game can be played many times.
Aside from the multitude of interesting bugs that can be examined, this game is interactive and entertaining on many fronts. The classroom is full of objects that can be clicked on to produce fun results, and the Magic School Bus contains many entertaining gadgets and gizmos. One of these is the game machine, which collects games encountered along the adventure. In each habitat the player can find a video game with a bug theme, and these can be collected on the Bus’ game machine. The Bus also has a jukebox with familiar bug songs on it.
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The Classroom
Pond Field Trip
Jungle Field Trip
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"There was lots of different places to go and see and I liked all the different things you could do in each part of the field trip." - Catherine, age 9
" I watched my son play with this program and I really liked the visual quality of the various scenes in the field trip. He found it very easy to navigate around on his own. The program does a really good job of introducing him to the world of insects. I found myself playing around on it." Abagail, mother of Terry, age 6
Although this tutorial program is intended for younger learners, the wide range of information concerning insects and other bugs will make it attractive to some older students wanting to gain some overall knowledge on the subject. Teachers will want this program in their class library as a supplement to any science unit focusing on bugs and insects, as it provides entertaining content reinforcement.
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The Magic School Bus Explores Bugs' tutorial does not focus on specific bugs in great detail, but rather provides a balanced and informative overview of the stunning biodiversity of insects and arachnids in our world. To do this, it relies on the fun and inventive concept of the Magic School Bus, with all its gizmos and special travelling abilities.
Students will also be drawn to this program because of the goal of the adventure: to recover the missing bugs. Because new bugs go missing each time, this game can be played several times by the same player, while still remaining fun and informative. Among the various Magic School Bus programs, this one is one of the most interactive - lots and lots of click and see.
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Pricing and Online Ordering
(or call toll free -1-800-250-9229 )
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Platform: Multimedia PC with Pentium 133 or higher processor Microsoft® Windows® 95 operating system or later, or Windows, NT® Workstation version 4.0 ,16 MB of RAM; 32 MB for Windows NT version 4.0, 15 MB of available hard-disk space, Quad-speed CD-ROM drive or faster, Super VGA, 256-color monitor, Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device, 16-bit sound card, Headphones or speakers recommended; closed captioned for the deaf or hard of hearing, Optional: printer or network compatible system
Platform: Macintosh iMac, iBook, or PowerPC with 233 MHz or higher, System 8.1 or later, 32 MB RAM, 15 MB of available hard-disk space, Quad-speed CD-ROM drive or faster, 256-color monitor, Microsoft Mouse, Apple Mouse or compatible pointing device, Headphones or speakers recommended; Closed captioned for the deaf or hard of hearing. Optional: printer or network compatible with system 8.1 or later
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or to see other science programs
My Amazing Human Body - ages 5-10
The New Way Things Work - ages 8 - 15
Pinball Science - ages 9-15
Field Trip To The Rainforest - ages 9 - 16
Starry Night Complete Space & Astonomy Pack - ages 12 & up
Science Matrix (cell biology) - ages 12 & up
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