Science Heroes: Digestive System for Kids
Animations and games engage; learning approach needs boost.
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Science Heroes: Digestive System for Kids
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Science Heroes: Digestive System for Kids aims to teach young learners about the digestive system, offering options in English or Spanish. A video reviews key concepts and vocabulary, and it includes colorful animations that will engage kids. Leveled games challenge kids to protect different parts of the digestive system by completing missions such as chomping food particles and blasting harmful substances. However, the focus on learning gets somewhat lost. Brief quizzes are given between game levels, but kids are likely to spend more time trying to blast the enemy than learning about the digestive system. Users can try a free version of the app, which includes one game level. The full, paid version includes five levels.
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What’s It About?
On the main page of SCIENCE HEROES: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM FOR KIDS, users have three options: Tap the gear icon to control the sound and choose a language (English or Spanish), tap the Parents section to sign up for a learning guide and read the privacy policy, or tap the green arrow to start playing the game. Upon tapping the green arrow, first-time users are taken to an instructional video that lasts just over three minutes; an Internet connection is required to watch the video. Next, kids are given a series of missions, three per game level, that are broken down by body part: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. Each mission begins with an explanation, and the general theme is to shoot at various objects such as food particles (to break them down) or harmful substances (to protect various body parts). Kids have to complete each mission set and answer two quiz questions to unlock the next level.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will enjoy the video and the challenging missions in Science Heroes: Digestive System for Kids. The colorful characters and animations are engaging, and the science content is presented at an age-appropriate level. Quizzes between game levels attempt to reinforce learning, but they are so staggered that kids may have a hard time recalling the information. On a positive note, feedback for incorrect answers is provided, so kids can learn from their mistakes.
Although the graphics are well done and the missions are fun and engaging, kids are probably not going to spend most of their time learning about the digestive system. Instead, they likely will focus on shooting at targets in hopes of advancing to the next level.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Search for diagrams of the digestive system and talk with kids about the processes that occur in each structure.
While watching the video, pause it as needed so kids can jot down key terminology. Then have them create an illustrated glossary.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Science: biology
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: memorization
- Pricing structure: Free to try (To unlock the full game, you'll pay $4.99 via in-app purchase.)
- Release date: November 12, 2013
- Category: Education
- Publisher: Yogome
- Version: 1.0.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 6.0 or later
- Last updated: August 17, 2016
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