Music is Physics
© 1999 CogniScience
The idea of combining elements of music with physics sounds like a great one but this CD doesn’t make the score. By exploring ten different areas, kids find the answers to questions like "What is sound?" and "How does sound travel?". Once inside an area, students click on an item to discover hidden bits of info on topics such as the human ear, acoustics and music. Some of the items lead to extended activities but children quickly tire of the lack of action. Strengths include beautiful graphics and lots of information. Although the music is wonderful, it does not make up for the poorly designed activities. The music and science facts might make this software useful as a supplement in an elementary or middle school curriculum, but don't count on kids wanting to play. Lab packs of five CDs for $149.95 and 25 CDs for $599.95 are available. Note that the software ran fine on the Mac but would not run on two new Windows 98 computers. A Win 98 problem?
$49.95, Win 95, 98; Mac OS (CD-ROM)
Teaches: music, science, acoustics, ear anatomy