Dive into an ocean of math with a friendly dolphin, learning multiplication along the way, with FIFO & the Times Table Aliens. Explore the red planet and what might be with Mission to Mars AR. Plus, watch the real Perseverance rover as it lands on Mars in some stunning video.
Garry Froehlich | Jellybean Tunes
FIFO & the Times Table Aliens
by Balconia Math
FIFO the dolphin helps to teach multiplication in this math game. Instead of quizzing kids with math problems, FIFO attempts to ease them into the concept. Kids first select the number to work on using a slingshot, then are presented an ocean of numbers where aliens drop in with numbers as hints. Kids then instruct FIFO what number to jump to at first by tapping using skip counting techniques. This progresses to telling FIFO how many times to jump, then how many times and how many spaces at a time, all the way up to full multiplication problems. There are no obvious instructions with the app so it can be confusing and may take a bit of trial and error to figure out what to do, but I was able to fairly quickly. It is a different take on learning multiplication, that may benefit some learners.
Mission to Mars AR
Mission to Mars turns your iPad or iPhone into a portal to Mars. View a rocket launch on its way to the red planet right inside your own home, view the surface of the planet, drive a rover around your kitchen, and step through a portal onto a Mars base and see another planet all around you. Plus, you can direct the landing of the Perseverance rover that just landed on Mars in real life this past week. Although AR still tends to be more of a gimmick, it works well in this app. This is a gorgeous app and easy to recommend for the young space enthusiast.
NASA Brings Video Cameras to Mars
It seems like a small thing, but actually being able to see something landing on another planet is much more exciting than just hearing about it. NASA has released video of their latest robot landing on Mars, which looks incredible.
