For parents looking for entertaining and stimulating math software, “Calculating Crew” and “Cosmic Geometry,” “Math Rock” and “The Great Math Adventure,” have your number. You can count on each for curriculum-appropriate activities that introduce and reinforce basic math concepts and skills.
These CD-ROMS are worlds apart from rudimentary flash-card drills. They feature awesome graphics, catchy songs and fun characters. But they are not all fun and games. There is some serious math instruction at work, especially in “Calculating Crew,” and “Cosmic Geometry,” two titles in Edmark’s award-winning “Mighty Math” series.
Designed for ages 8 to 12, “Calculating Crew” features three superheroes, Capt. Nick Knack, Dr. Gee and Wanda Wavelet, who rely on mastery of math skills to complete their tasks. For example, computing answers to multiplication and division problems determines how many supplies Capt. Knack delivers to the citizens of Planet Havarti. Players also can total the cost and make change for save-the-day items purchased in the Superhero Superstore, and identify, design and manipulate solids in Dr. Gee’s 3-D Lab.
One really has to know all the right angles to navigate around Planet Geometry in “Cosmic Geometry.” From assembling a robot on a coordinate grid to interlocking patterns and shapes, the activities on this CD-ROM illustrate concepts appropriate for ages 12 to 14. State-of-the-art graphics compensate for some lame characters (“The robots around here don’t make the scene” . . . “smooth move, you’re in the groove”).
Other “Mighty Math” titles include “Carnival Countdown” and “Zoo Zillions” (ages 5 to 8), “Number Heroes” (9 to 12) and “Astro Algebra” (12 to 14).
Music figures into “Math Rock,” a worthy addition to Creative Wonders’ series of “Schoolhouse Rock” CD-ROMs. Integrated into this software’s eight games designed for ages 6 to 10, are 11 related music videos that each teaches a multiplication lesson. Parents who came of age in the 1970s should get a nostalgic, retro-kick out of “My Hero Zero” and “The Four-Legged Zoo” (although they’re no “Conjunction Junction” or I’m Just a Bill”).
The goal of “Math Rock” is to gather the seven members of the Funky Numberland Band. You’ll find them playing different games that reinforce elementary math skills. “Figure Eight Skating,” for example, teaches geometric shapes and sequential thinking as players choose directional cards to replicate an onscreen skating routine.
“The Great Math Adventure” features the voice of a very animated Howie Mandel as Lil’ Howie, a variation on his popular child character, Bobby, who with his skunk friend, Stinky, and Digibot, guides you through his Fun House.
As with other titles in the award-winning Great Adventure series, this program boasts excellent production values and engaging activities, such as arranging numbered blocks of ice in sequence to run an ice cream machine, or using a “fractionizer” to cut the correct length of wood for a new room in the Fun House.
Parents may quibble with the silliness quotient, which is especially high, with a tendency to aim for the lowest common denominator. Once a player signs in, he or she must then choose a juvenile nickname, lest Lil’ Howie choose one for you (which is how I was dubbed “Bubbles”). There are also inexplicable bits of mayhem, such as characters suddenly being konked by falling objects.
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“Mighty Math: Calculating Crew” and “Mighty Math: Cosmic Geometry” ($39 each) run on Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or later and Macintosh. For the PC: 486, Pentium or better, 5MB hard disk space free (Windows 95) or 9MB free (Windows 3.1), 8MB RAM, 256 color monitor and 2x or faster CD-ROM drive. For the Mac: System 7.0.1 or higher, 68040, 68030, or Power PC, 5MB hard disc space free, 16 MB memory, 256 color monitor and 2x Speed CD-ROM drive. Rating: (star) (star) (star) 1/2 (out of 4 stars)
“Math Rock” ($39.95) runs on Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and Macintosh. Each requires 2x Speed CD-ROM drive. For the PC: 486 with 8MB RAM, 7MB hard disk space and 256 color monitor. For the Mac: System 7.0 or later, 68040 processor, or PowerMac, with 8MB RAM, 7MB hard disk space and 256 color monitor, 640×480. Rating: (star) (star) (star) 1/2
“The Great Math Adventure” ($29.99) runs on Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and DOS 3.3 (or higher), and requires 486 33MHz or greater IBM-compatible computer, 8MB RAM, 256-color display or better and 2x Speed CD-ROM drive. Rating: (star) (star) (star)
