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Based on the PBS show “Sid the Science Kid,” Sid’s Science Fair offers children the opportunity to explore science concepts through observation, identification, classification, and sequencing.
Sid’s Science Fair is divided into three sections, Gabriela’s Collection Inspection, May’s Chart It, and Gerald’s Time Machine. Each section is hosted by a character from the show and focuses on specific science concepts. Each section includes a green question mark. Not only does the question mark feature provide more information about each section, but correct terminology and vocabulary is used, providing younger children with valuable background knowledge for future science concepts.
Gabriela’s Collection Inspection focuses on the skills of observation and identification by finding specific details in the different collections. There are 14 different collections to choose from including butterflies, insects, coins, fungi, and pasta. In each collection, Gabriela selects three different “find this” objects. Children move the magnifying glass over the items in the collections to identify Gabriela’s “find this” object. Upon finding each object, positive encouragement is offered. After identifying each of Gabriela’s three “find this” objects, children can play the same collection again (identifying three new “find this” objects) or return to the previous page to identify objects in other collections.
May’s Chart It focuses on the skill of classification by charting data for each collection. Seven different Chart It collections include objects such as flowers, buttons, animals, and faces. Upon entering a specific collection, May explains how to classify the objects. Each collection is classified by three specific areas. For example, the flower collection may first be classified by flower color, then by petal shape, and finally by petal count. All objects in the collection appear at the bottom of the screen and the user has to drag and drop the object to the correct place on the chart. There are only three possible places for the item to go, decreasing the level of confusion and/or frustration for younger children. Positive encouragement as well as a chime sounds when the object is placed in the correct area on the chart. The object will not “stick” to the chart if it is put in the incorrect place and moves back to the main bank of objects at the bottom of the screen.
Gerald’s Time Machine focuses on the skill of sequencing and explores how objects change over time. Fourteen different objects include flowers, fruit, candles, melting ice cubes, and shuttle launches. There are two parts to Gerald’s Time Machine. Part one focuses on putting images of the object in the correct sequence. After choosing an object, five images appear. Images are placed in order, from first to last, by dragging and dropping the images. However, images can actually be placed in either order – from first to last, or last to first. For example, children can arrange the image of the ice cube so it appears as an ice cube that melts, or as a puddle of water that transforms into an ice cube. This could lead to some really fun discussions! Once the pictures are in sequence, part one will automatically end and part two begins. In part two a longer series of nine images appears at the bottom of the screen. Users can scroll through the images from beginning to end (or end to beginning based on the sequencing), to see how the image changes over time.
Overall, this app is a fun and easy way to introduce children to basic science concepts, skills, and vocabulary.
Bottom Line
An educational, fun, and easy way to engage young learners in the exploration of science skills and concepts. Sid’s Science Fair engages players (ages 3 to 6) in experiential learning with core science and math concepts from classification and identifying patterns to charting and sequencing. Emcee’d by Sid, from the hit series SID THE SCIENCE KID, the app presents three absolutely addictive Science Fair games specially crafted for your curious early learner(s):
GABRIELA’S “COLLECTION INSPECTION”
Use your interactive magnifying glass to discover fascinating patterns among a wide variety of objects, from butterflies and buttons to keys and coins. Gabriela has fourteen different collections to inspect—and different patterns every time—so this game offers many hours of repeat play!
MAY’S “CHART IT!”
Think statistics are boring? No, no, no. Not with May and her awesome “Chart It!” game. Players organize her miniature stuffed animals, balloon creatures, origami, silly faces, and other cool stuff on a chart by observing shared traits. These traits can include color, shape, orientation, and more. May has seven different collections, each of which has ten items and three charts.
GERALD’S “TIME MACHINE”
Get ready to travel through time! Or, rather, to make Gerald’s amazing pictures travel through time… First, choose from among his fourteen picture collections. Then order the pictures into a sequence, such as a snowman melting, candles burning down, a flower growing, or an apple being eaten. Once your sequence is in order (forwards or backwards in time both work!), you can swipe back and forth or tilt your device left or right to watch the time machine in action. But beware! Time machines can have unexpected results…
ABOUT THE APP
Sid’s Science Fair from PBS KIDS was developed by Carstens Studios in partnership with PBS and the Jim Henson Company, the producers of the groundbreaking TV series SID THE SCIENCE KID. The series, which airs weekdays on PBS KIDS, uses comedy to promote exploration, discovery and science readiness among early learners. Find all things Sid, including videos, songs, games, and activities, at http://pbskids.org/sid