From the Children's
Technology Review
July 2006 issue
Volume 14, #7, pg. 16
Children's Technology Review
http://childrenstech.com/
Explore the Planets 2.0
Rating: 4.1
Publisher: Tasa Graphic Arts, Inc.
Web site: www.tasagraphicarts.com
Phone: 575-758-5535
Copyright: 2005
Price: $59.00
Platform: Windows XP, Windows 98, Mac OSX, Mac OS9
Age range: 10-up
Grades: 5 through 12
CSR Review: Like a textbook on CD-ROM, this is a collection of narrated
slides, interspersed with multiple choice application questions. The
solid, information-rich design is similar to other Tasa titles, all
dealing with earth science topics.
Following the introduction, given by a scientist from the University
of Hawaii, the program contains four parts. Tour the Planets provides
a close look at the specific attributes of each planet, followed by
a quiz. Next, students can examine the forces that shape the planets,
in Planet Processes. These include landslides, volcanos, wind and
so on. The Planet Explorer Game puts students in the control room
of a series of solar system probes, that keep encountering mystery
objects in the solar system. Using clues, such as "no volcanic
activity" and "lots of impact craters," students try
to guess which planet or moon they have found. Finally, the Planet
Database lets you quickly find information related to a specific planet,
such as the escape velocity or the distance from the Sun. There is
no record keeping, other than the ability to print your score sheet.
While limited in interactive features, this resource could be useful
for earth science teachers. The cost is $59.00 for single user license;
$155 for a multi-user site license; and $177 for a lab pack of 5 CD-ROMs.
Date of Review: 7/01/2006
Teaches: The solar system, tectonics, the planets, space, astronomy,
earth science, ecology, global warming, volcanos.
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