NOVA Elements
By Debbie Gorrell,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Info-packed science app great for learning about elements.
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NOVA Elements
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What’s It About?
When starting up the app, kids can choose from three options: "Watch Hunting the Elements," "Explore the Interactive Periodic Table," or "Play David Pogue's Essential Elements." While exploring the interactive periodic table, kids can tap on an element to read about, and build an atom of, the element. Some elements even include links to relevant video clips. In the Essential Elements game, different items and the molecules that make up the items are provided. The task is to choose an item and then build the atoms that make up the molecules of the item. Then, you build molecules using a drag-and-drop feature to correctly place the atoms. If you're wrong, you can try again. But you'd better hurry, because time may run out! Kids can see correct answers by tapping the Auto Build button.
Is It Any Good?
NOVA ELEMENTS is a great learning tool for kids who want to know about the elements. Building atoms and molecules gets kids engaged in the learning process, which is always a good thing. The information provided about the elements in the periodic table is somewhat basic, but it's interesting enough to encourage kids to keep tapping on the elements to learn more. The fun, easily accessible video chapters from Hunting the Elements make the app a well-rounded addition to any science-related digital-learning library.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Watch the video clips with kids and encourage discussion about how different elements are used in everyday life.
Find items around the house, particularly in the kitchen, and challenge kids to identify elements that make up the item.
App Details
- Devices: iPad , Windows app
- Subjects: Science : chemistry, substance properties
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning : applying information, memorization, thinking critically
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: January 22, 2013
- Category: Education
- Publisher: PBS
- Version: 1.3
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 3.2 or later
- Last updated: March 12, 2019
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