Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Astronomical amount of info for young space enthusiasts.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
What's in Space?
What's It About?
To play WHAT'S IN SPACE? tap on one of four main topics: Live in Space, Travel to Space, Solar System, or The Sky. Tap Live in Space and choose from seven options (astronauts, solar panels, spacesuits, space station, Soyuz spaceship, gravity, or artificial satellites) to learn more. View the image and listen to the narrator provide a brief audio explanation of what you're viewing. Tap in the upper left corner of the Live in Space main page and choose activities to complete, such as naming all the parts of a spacesuit (drag and drop words), identifying all the elements in a satellite, and helping an astronaut "fix" the space station. Each of the four main topic areas includes activities specific to that subject.
Is It Any Good?
This app has a lot of kid-friendly information about space presented in fun, engaging ways. What's in Space? combines educational info -- presented through real images and brief explanations -- with games and activities. Kids will likely play numerous sessions on this app and continue to learn about space, while also honing academic skills by applying information that they've learned. Some games are more challenging than others; a few require little thinking but are still engaging due to the cute animated scenes and characters. There's just enough reading required without too much to overwhelm newly fluent readers, so it's best for kids who can read, although younger and older kids at different reading levels can also enjoy this app.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how What's in Space? combines games and activities with real images and information. Encourage your kid to listen to the brief -- but information-packed -- narration that accompanies the images.
Talk about the app's use of cute, animated characters. Do cats really use telescopes and drive spaceships? Why do you think the app developer included those animations? What fun, imaginative animations would you include if you could add some to the app?
If your kid is interested in learning about the big stuff like space and our own planet, check out Common Sense Media's list of Global Awareness Apps, Games, and Websites.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Science : engineering , astronomy , gravity , Social Studies : events , exploration
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , part-whole relationships , solving puzzles
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : June 3, 2018
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Planet Factory Interactive S.L.
- Version : 1.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated : June 20, 2020
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