Science explored

The Science Explorer series from Granada Learning is designed to help children learn about science through active participation in an interactive and in depth virtual laboratory. Enhanced with excellent graphics, animation and narration, the series represents an ideal environment for senior classes to engage practically with scientific concepts.

Science Explorer II focuses on the experimental and investigative elements of the curriculum using a virtual science station with six laboratories, each with a specific theme – Living Things, Materials, Forces and Motion, Human Beings, Earth in Space and, Electricity, Light and Sound. On arrival at the Science Explorer station children log in so the station’s central computer system can record individual progress with the inbuilt Log and Lab books. Next it’s off to the central area where the young explorer can choose what laboratory to explore, take a guided tour, visit the Think Tank for a team quiz or use the Catalogue (index) to locate specific information.

Inside each lab, an Information Point describes what’s available. These include Fact Points that briefly present scientific facts, Equipment Posts that describe scientific equipment and Investigations that describe scientific principles and experiments. In all there are 19 interactive investigations, each following the same structure.
Briefings provide text, audio and slides describing a phenomenon and a related experiment that children can try at home. The Investigate section provides an interactive experiment to demonstrate the scientific principle at hand and the Tell Me More section includes more in-depth information and suggestions for further work.
For instance, the Water Slide investigation in the Forces and Motion lab explains the force of gravity. Children then experiment by the poolside adjusting the height and angle of the slide and pool length as they endeavour to dive-bomb the rubber duck. Another excellent activity is the Dental records investigation in the Human Beings lab, with children dragging teeth from a dental record into the correct position in the mouth as a timer counts down.

Science Explorer II is suitable for senior classes with children ideally working in groups of two or three. Admittedly with such a vast array of content, children may need guidance, so use of the program’s Map facility is advisable for more directed and purposeful work. Also on the CD ROM are teacher support materials. These include a guide to using the disc and its contents, suggestions for best use and a set of worksheets that can used for extension activities away from the computer. The Explorer website (www.yitm.com/yitm/explorer/science1/index.html) accessible from the log in screen, provides further information about the program and links to other recommended science sites.