| Press Release | Go to the ScienceMania [Key Stage 2] page |
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"We don't like Science, but this was brilliant!" Pupils praise Topologika's new Key Stage 2 Science software that speaks! 16 May 2005 … Educational software publisher Topologika Software Ltd has launched ScienceMania [Key Stage 2] after several rounds of testing in local schools. The new software gets seven to eleven year olds practising and consolidating their Science skills while exploring three-dimensional mazes and a series of puzzles. ScienceMania [Key Stage 2] is the fifth title in Topologika's new 'Mania' series, joining WordMania and MathMania. Expanding on their winning concept of quiz questions in a can't-resist games format, ScienceMania boasts console-style graphics, sound effects (which can be switched off) and innovative features demanding strategic thinking. It also brings a new feature to the 'Mania' series - questions and instructions can be spoken! Faced with mazes they must navigate by answering multiple-choice questions, and six engaging puzzles, pupils who normally dislike Science now enjoy revising for SATs. During testing at Falmouth's Beacon Junior School, pupils said "It's the best game I've seen", "It helps you learn in an attractive fun way," and "We don't like Science, but this was brilliant!" Maze questions cover all four of the National Curriculum programmes of study, Scientific enquiry, Life processes and living things, Materials and their properties and Physical processes, and there is also a 'Lucky Dip'. Levels 1-4 each correspond to a different Year group e.g. Level 1 = Year 3. ScienceMania's six puzzles are presented with imaginative graphics and importantly they show pupils what happens even when they get things wrong. Feel the Force (forces), Laser Lab (angles and properties of light), Living Pinball (classification), Mixture Magic (separating materials), Short Circuit (electricity) and Thingamajig (identifying equipment). Each can be tackled as an independent activity or between mazes, has its own 'high score' table and progressive layers of difficulty. As in all of Topologika's titles, a full set of easy to use 'Options' match features to whole-class, group- or individual-play as well as to include pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who can work on the same topics and puzzles but at different levels. The software can even move players between levels according to their performance! Although perfect for stand-alone use, ScienceMania [Key Stage 2] can also be played across a network (and even via the Internet) in which case pupils can see not only their own character in a maze, but also other characters representing their classmates! Characters change depending on the pupil's chosen theme: Lab World, Ball World, Trek World or Scally's World, and, in true 'gaming' style, high score tables encourage competition. Revision sessions, lunch times and computer club activities are ideal settings for 'playing' ScienceMania [Key Stage 2] and taking advantage of its additional features which include a worksheet generator, a Maze Designer and the ability to extend the pre-written and computer-generated questions by adding your own. Prices start at £49 ex. VAT for the Single User version, with a full Site Licence priced at £224 ex. VAT. The pack includes the CD-ROM, Quick Start Guide, Handbook, classroom support booklet, and a Maze Design Sheet that can be photocopied and used with the Maze Designer. Special Home Editions of each title in the 'Mania' series are available at £24.99. ScienceMania [Key
Stage 2] is available on 'approval' for 30 days to schools and other educational
institutions. Visit www.topologika.co.uk or call 01326 377 771. ends Contact
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