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Astromania
Blast off to Learning Excitement
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| Description |
| Finally the next generation of fact-learning
software is here. Based on US patent number 5,820,386 titled "Interactive
educational apparatus, " Astro-Mania teaches all the important
facts about 38 astronomical objects such as planets and stars. The
program is groundbreaking in several ways. It has a learning database
that includes essays, images, and lists of all the important facts
for each of the 38 space objects.
Modules based on this database allow the player to connect to
the facts in four different ways, enhancing learning. Not only
do players connect the fact (or clue) to the name of the object
as do traditional games, they also make three more connections.
They are: matching the fact to the object's image, matching the
name to the object's image, and finally matching one fact about
the object to another one.
Additionally, Astro-Mania overcomes educators' chief objection
to fact-learning games - that facts are learned in isolation.
Astro-Mania includes a review screen after each round. This review
screen includes the part of the essay that relates to each fact.
Thus, game players can read additional material about the fact
to place it into context. This allows the players not only to
know the fact but also to understand it.
Astro-Mania includes one study level and seven game levels. The
seven game levels allow the player to advance sequentially, to
master one level before tackling another. Level one is easy whereas
level seven is quite hard, even for those who know astronomy.
Each level includes a ranking so that players know exactly how
they rate. Players will see their scores jump from Learner to
Scientist and finally to Einstein.
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| Features |
- Have fun learning astronomy with this exciting game
- Lets you to connect information in four different ways
- Includes a study level and seven game levels
- Includes essays to put each fact in context
- Based on US patent 5,820,386 - Interactive educational apparatus
and method
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| Awards |
ZDNet Editor's Pick |
Rated 5 Stars by Ziff-Davis |
| Reviews |
CNET
A CNET Downloads Pick
Click
here for CNET review...
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ZDNet
A five-star ZDNet rating
Click
here for ZDNet review...
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John Cline, Educator and Astronomer
"Having just loaded and run Astro-Mania, I was captivated
by the fascinating graphics and large, easy-to-use icons used throughout
the program. Obviously, this astronomy teaching tool was designed
for children of all ages! My seven year old son stopped by my room
to see what all the commotion was about, and he was instantly hooked.
The action on the screen is captivating to young minds, and the
text is written in a manner which doesn't "talk down"
to the child, yet addresses the needs of older students and adults.
A 1st grader can read and understand the material, and an adult
can glean an understanding of the sometimes daunting world of astronomy
through a fun, interactive game environment. I highly recommend
this program for educators in elementary through high school curricula,
and it is an absolute must for those in he 4th through 7th grades.
Though I have purchased and used literally dozens of astronomy programs
over the years, as an astronomer and an educator this one certainly
meets my criteria for an educational tool."
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Joe Padilla, science teacher
"The graphics and the sound are excellent. From what I experienced
with Astro-Mania, I honestly believe it is an excellent tool for
schools to motivate students to learn Astronomy. By and large, people
of all ages, students included, are fascinated by the heavenly bodies.
But up to now, aside from textbooks which do not appeal to many,
astronomy buffs (or just plain curiosity seekers) have to go to
'planetaria,' which are far too few, buy an expensive telescope
which does not really teach, or climb those domed observatories
which are even fewer nationwide. Your 'Jeopardy-like' quizzes really
test how much astronomy one has learned, how basic or how advanced,
and after every quiz, explains clearly the items (planets) contained
in the quiz. Providing for a retest will surely reinforce one's
memory with knowledge of items missed.
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| Purchase |
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Get the registration key to unlock the shareware version of Astro-Mania
and the download information for the other nine registered programs.*
*You must download the shareware version of
Astro-Mania to use this purchase method
Purchase
online via credit card
To purchase by credit card using a toll-free number:
Dial 1-800-999-2734, and ask for Product #8137
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Get a CD-ROM via postal delivery containing the registered version
of Astro-Mania and the other nine registered programs.
Purchase
online via credit card
To purchase by credit card using a toll-free number:
Dial 1-800-999-2734, and ask for Product #8138
Send a check payable to Sheppard Software to:
Sheppard Software
Suite 623, Pavilion
Jenkintown, PA 19046
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| Screen Shots |
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Level One - Match the name of
the planet to its picture.
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Level Two - Match clues to names
with pictures.
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Level Two Review Screen
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Level Three - Match the clues to the pictures.
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Level Four - Match 6 clues to 6 pictures with
clues.
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