Science CD-ROMs usually tell you three facts about bear hibernation and then quiz you. Not exactly the way to get kids thinking like scientists. But Big Science Comics gets it right.If you've seen Snootz Math Trek, then you've met our round friends the Bumptzes. In this animated adventure, the Bumptzes crash to Earth and need help getting back to their ship. To propel a Bumptz, you have to get one of his fellow critters to jump on the back of a T-square. Too light, and your flying fella will fall short. Too heavy, and he'll hit other objects. The relationships you need to deduce get increasingly complex as you go along. The Bumptzes' good sportsmanship about getting dropped, drop-kicked, and drowned in pie was the favorite part for my fellow product tester, 11-year-old Sasha. "I like it when you get to flick things!" she said. Mo the Packrat takes notes about what you've observed.Big Science Comics is recommended for kids 8 to 12. Children on the younger end of that range may need some help here and there. But big folks should remember not to succumb to the temptation to take over - let the kids play, OK?
Big Science Comics CD-ROM: US$29.95. Theatrix Interactive: (800) 955 8749, +1 (510) 658 2800, on the Web at www.theatrix.com/.
STREET CRED
Atari DazeDawkinian Evolution
Comic Science
