Journey into the Brain - Reviews and Awards
Awards
Finalist, Time Inc. Health's International Health and Medical Film Competition
1999 Interactive Achievement Awards (Acadamy of Interactive Arts and Sciences)
Game Developer's Conference, Independent Games Festival, Finalist
North Bay Multimedia Association Winner: Best of the North BayReviews
Children's Software Review
Choosing Children's Software
FamilyPC
Family News (Published by A.P.P.L.E. FamilyWorks)
Technology and Learning
Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D.
Eileen Barnett
Sheryl Hardin
Belinda and Nicole
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Children's Software Revue Editors Choice 4 1/2 Stars! |
"Children are playfully introduced to the brain and its functions. They'll particularly like the interactive story/game in which they have to explore an animated human brain to solve a mystery. As they wander about, they learn of the inner working of the brain, find bits of memory to help out a mixed-up little girl and play the logic games they run into."
Choosing Children's Software
Spring 1999
The Best Science Software
Early Elementary"Spectacular graphics await you in Journey into the Brain"
"For a mystery game that takes you inside a human brain, try Journey into the Brain (Morphonix, (800) 678-4384)...Through engaging interactive activities, children begin to learn how the brain functions. The artwork throughout is spectacular. There is also an activities area and a research part known as the Brainarium."
Family News, April 1999
For Everyone Caring About Parents, Kids, Community
Published by A.P.P.L.E. FamilyWorks - Advancing Principles & Practices of Life Enrichment
By Anne Bubnic, Custom Computers For Kids"New Software Titles Engage Children And Prove Learning Can Be Fun!
"Too often, it seems like education takes a back seat to entertainment, when it comes to quality software. Here are a few new titles that break from the mold. Thet are not dependent on character recognition or branding to hold your child's attention. And they prove that learning can be fun.
"Journey into the Brain
"Children have a natural curiosity about their bodies. A number of software titles, including 'Magic Schoolbus Explores the Human Body' (Microsoft), 'My Amazing Human Body' (DK Multimedia), and 'What's The Secret?' have addressed bodily topics on a child's level. But no CD-Rom, up to this time, has offered such an immersive experience in exploring how the brain works, as 'Journey Into The Brain.' Funded by NIH, the title was produced locally in Marin by a team of content experts that included neuroscientists and educators.
"In 'Journey Into The Brain,' children are introduced to a character, 'Celeste,' who eats coconut and jelly sandwiches and does other crazy things. They must go on a rescue mission inside her brain to gather scattered memory bits and restore it to normal. Along the way, players meet characters like Brain Stem, Sera Bellum, and Sir Rebral Cortex.
"We learn that 'the brain stem is a bundle of nerves,' and 'the cerebellum is responsible for skill, balance & timing.' These are typical 'factoids' that are continually presented during the journey. Children learn without even realizing it.
"Subtleties abound in this title. As they travel from one site to the next, players make their way through artfully-rendered neural "forrests" that are medically-accurate enlargements of actual neural networks. 'Sera Bellum' morphs onto the screen from the shape of a cauliflower, a form which the cerebellum actually resembles. Then, since the cerebellum handles 'balance', children must balance vegetables on a scale to recover memory bits in this region. Another activity, "Fire a Synapse" mimics neurotransmitter function, as kids shoot alien particles, Additionally, children are using their own brains to solve challanges. Sometimes, they are using the exact regions of the brain that they are studying as they bring puzzles to conclusion.
"'Journey Into The Brain' is an opportunity well-taken. It brings amazing richness and depth to its quest, without overwhelming children. They learn everything from healthy eating habits to bicycle safety and the dangers of drugs as they gather information on the functions of the human brain. The activities are widely diverse. There are six original tunes, created for the program. Brain teasers, tests of memory skills, art and music challanges cover all of the multiple intelligences.
"Beyond the virtual tours and activities that occur within the game, children can also visit the 'Brainarium' where they can learn more facts and see real brain images from collections gathered by distinguished physicians."
Anne Bubnic teaches computer classes to K-5 students in Marin County and has her own consulting practice, Custom Computers for Kids. For more information on children's software, visit her web site (www.pepsite.com) or tune into her weekly reports on "On Computers Radio" (1440 am, Sundays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.).
Technology and Learning
November/December 1998
Science"Journey into the Brain lets kids, grades 2-6, explore neuroscientific concepts by learning about their own developing brains."
"Congratulations on a wonderful product...the audio is clear, the art is captivating and the games are engaging. It is my belief that your target audience (children ages 6-11) is one group that has been neglected when it comes to science education materials. I am glad to see that you created a product for these kids."
Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D.
University of Washington
http://weber.u.wasington.edu/~chudler/neurok.html
"I liked it. I think it will help a lot of kids learn and have fun."
-- Belinda, age 9"I liked that it was harder in Stages 3 and 4 because you have to think harder and use your brain."
-- Nicole, age 10
"Journey into the Brain...is wonderful! The game is fun to play. Information is presented in a clear, concise manner - just enough without overpowering the average child. I can assure you that it will receive a great deal of exposure here at Lesley College. Please be sure to keep me posted on new Morphonix educational titles. I am always on the lookout for quality educational software."
Eileen Barnett
Director / Educational Software Coordinator
Instructional Computing
Lesley College
"I just wanted to let you know how much my second grade class enjoys your software - Journey into the Brain. Every time they have the opportunity they gather around the computer to watch as one of their peers gather memory bits. The first day a student got to level 3 we had to postpone starting our regular lessons for thirty minutes because they were so excited about the game! This is the only software program I've used that has held their attention for so long - it even holds their attention as they just watch their peers play.
"I had been searching for materials for teaching neuroscience to children since I start every year with a unit on the brain. It's a great way to set the tone for learning for the entire year. My class even calls themselves 'The Brainy Bunch.' I was so excited to find software on the brain at their level! And even more excited when I found out what a quality program it is! THANK YOU!"
Sheryl Hardin
Gullet Elementary School
Austin, Texas
The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (www.interactive.org)
1999 Interactive Achievement AwardsEducational Title of the Year (9 - 16 years)
"Educating young adults about their world is no small task. A successful endeavor must grab attention and, more importantly, must deserve it. While the world may be filled with software that seems useful but carries very little educational value, this year's list of nominees is the real deal. Each exhibits excellence in production values, content, and scholastic merit, serving to elevate the entire field of educational software."
Finalists:
Journey into the Brain
Morphonix Morphonix JumpStart Adventures 6th Grade
Knowledge Adventure Knowledge Adventure / Human Code National Geographic Maps Broderbund / National Geographic Interactive Broderbund / National Geographic Interactive StarWars DroidWorks
Lucas Learning Ltd. Lucas Learning Ltd. Thinkin' Science ZAP!
Edmark Edmark And the winner is...Thinkin' Science ZAP!
Congratulations Edmark!The Academy, created to advance and recognize outstanding achievement in the interactive arts, presented the awards at the Variety Arts Theater the evening of May 13, 1999, during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.
"The high caliber of nominees, finalists, and sponsors shows the Awards program enjoys widespread industry support" - Jim Charne, President and Executive Director of the Academy.
Computer Game Developers Association (www.cgda.org)
Game Developers Conference - March 1999
Independent Game Festival
FinalistJourney into the Brain was distinguished as a finalist amongst a solid field of fast-paced, action-packed, adventure, strategy, entertainment titles.
North Bay Multimedia Association (www.nbma.com)
Best of the North Bay 1999 AwardsBest of Show
CD-ROM Title - Best of Show, Professional
Karen Littman, Marty Brewer, Jay Leibold, Chris Gralapp, Madeline Preisner & Tim Ayers
"Journey into the Brain"
Time Inc. Health
1999 International Health and Medical Film Competition
Finalist in the category of Children's Health
"Entries this year were exceptional. Being ranked as a finalist means that your entry has been recognized as one of the finest health/medical productions in the world..." - Derinda Earnhardt, Time Inc. Health
