Build a Solar System

Title: Build a Solar System

Publisher: BrainPOP

Subject Area: Science

Summary: Build your own solar system. Discover how gravity can create very different system of planets and stars that change over time.

Ease of Use: Drag and Drop planets.

Skill Set: Click and drag. Mouse.

Program Design Features:

Control of Pace: Yes

Ability to Backtrack: Yes

Levels of difficulty: No

Physical Interface: No

Speech Features: No

Childproof: Yes

Individual Use: Yes

Scaffolding: No

Program Comments: The screen has the sun in the center. Above the screen we have seven planets, and an additional sun. The player has to drop the planets into the main screen. The planets (or sun) start rotating around the initial sun. Depending on the relationship of distance and size between the planets the system works or gets destroyed because of a collision caused by gravity.

Problem Solving Skills: Multiple solutions, Using a model, Identifying relationships, Hypothesis formation, Stimulate imaginative thinking, Identification of patterns and sequence.

Fun Factor: The program is enjoyable. The graphics are acceptable. Every time you play it can feel different depending on where you place each planet. Unexpected things can happen and that is fun. It can be challenging and that can make children want to play it more times.

Supplementary Material: BrainPOP educational videos.