The Fetal Pig - here's a great, not to mention gutsy, name for a software title! This program is billed as a "comprehensive introduction to the anatomy of mammals which can complement or replace fetal-pig dissection units." In other words - it's virtual dissection for the squeamish, not to mention the ultimate politically correct educational software.
This Mac-only, single-disk application lets students explore the anatomy and biological functions of a fetal pig without hacking up a real dead, stinky, formaldehyde-soaked piglet. I remember my high school biology lab (ugh, right after lunch) with their stench and rubbery piglet skin as if it were yesterday. All the major systems are covered, including respiratory, reproductive, digestive, skeletal, and nervous. Kids can explore diagrams of the major systems on their own, play hangman-ish word games, or take tests.
The disk's HyperCard-like stack features simple, low-resolution, black-and-white interactive diagrams of a dissected piglet with detailed blow-ups and a few sounds. The diagrams are simple because the software fits on a single floppy, but they provide a lot of information and are usable on almost any Mac (LC or higher, 1Mbyte of RAM) - crucial for schools. The Fetal Pig comes with a hard copy teacher's guide that follows the 10 lessons on the disk.
The software has been sold to nearly 1,000 schools, and a company that sells real pigs offers the software as an alternative/supplement to customers. Fetal pigs around the world are breathing a sigh of relief, and whole generations of kids may soon escape the stink of formaldehyde.
Other dissection software available from Ventura Educational systems are VisiFrog and The Earthworm. Lab packs and network versions are available.
The Fetal Pig, for Mac: US$59.95. Ventura Educational Systems: (800) 336 1022, +1 (805) 473 7383.
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