PBS Kids Releases CyberChase Shape Quest!

I was just speaking with one of the moms today at drop off about how I really want to encourage my daughter in math because I really was so afraid of it all throughout elementary school on through college.  I am not sure where it stemed from but I have been pleasantly surprised and happy to see that she is not having any issues with math – in fact, she prefers math to reading.  So I can’t wait to try the Cyberchase Shape Quest, a new app for iPad with her this afternoon.  The app is based on the Emmy Award®-winning series, Cyberchase. Kids, ages 6-9, are invited to follow popular characters Buzz and Delete in a fun-filled adventure that includes three math-based games focused on geometry, spatial reasoning, and problem solving.

Cyberchase Shape Quest includes “Patch the Path,” an all-new *augmented reality* game where kids travel through five different environments and apply spatial memory, visualization and modeling skills, while investigating, predicting, putting together and taking apart two- and three-dimensional shapes. Kids can use their device’s camera and a printable board game to interact with shapes and dimensions. The game board can be downloaded at pbskids.org/shapequest,

Other Features include:

-3 different games focused on building geometry, spatial reasoning and problem solving skills
-80 fun-filled educational puzzles
-5 fantastic Botopolis environments each with its own animal friends
-Augmented reality game interface brings the Patch The Path game into the physical world, fully engaging the player’s senses and spatial thinking skills

When you first open the app, you have the choice to play Patch the Path, Hide and Seek or Feed The Critters.  In Patch the Path – you need to download the board game that is found here.  It is great that the game is so interactive!  Any game that encourages positive reinforcement and helps make math fun is a winner in my book!  Once you download and print out the board game – you help the animal friends in this augmented reality (“AR”) game by using the tablet’s camera which combines real world 3D digital content.  There are 30 levels in 5 different environments that apply  spatial memory, visualization and modeling skills, while investigating, predicting, putting together and taking apart two- and three-dimensional shapes.

In the Feed the Critters game you feed the hungry critters.  But you have to watch out for walls and obstacles.  There are 5 different animals to play with a total of 25 levels.  This works on spatial reasoning is actually quite fun for even us big kids!  Once you hit the animal – stars blink and flash and you are told “Great Job!”. And with the Hide and Seek game, we are told to find the animals that are hidden behind different geometric shapes.  Through 25 different puzzles, children practice their geometry vocabulary while learning about hexagons, right angles, number of sides, and much more.

Cyberchase Shape Quest is available for FREE from the App Store on iPad or at www.AppStore.com/PBSKIDS. The app will also be available next month for select Android tablets on the Amazon App Store and Google Play.  Make sure to download this fun app for your early elementary student!