Cyberchase Shape Quest is a free app focused on shapes and starring characters from the PBS Kids show Cyberchase. It features three games — including one that uses augmented reality — that each touch on geometry and spatial reasoning. In Feed the Critter, players launch food to bounce off walls and obstacles and end in the hands of a hungry animal (like a game of billiards). In Hide and Seek, players identify shapes by different criteria such as name, number of sides, or right angles. In Patch the Path, learners need a printed copy of a game board (available for download on the PBS Kids website), which they use to place their puzzle pod. A brief tutorial shows players how to move their device around to explore the game space and tap to pick up, drop, and rotate items. When they move on to the game, players choose and rotate shapes to plug in gaps in a path across the game board. As levels increase, players must combine shapes in more complex ways. Players earn stars and points and increase in levels as they solve puzzles and answer questions correctly.

Teachers can use Cyberchase Shape Quest to challenge learners who have already learned a bit about geometry. Before learners play the AR game, educators need to visit the PBS Kids website and print out a game board. Games are meant to be played individually and follow a specific path of increasing complexity. Because of that, they work best as an activity station for individual learners on their own dedicated device if possible. Teachers can expand on the skills learners use in the game through activities that touch on geometry vocabulary (shape names, angles, and so on) or spatial reasoning.

Three very different games, each with lots of levels, give learners ample practice with geometry, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. Colorful graphics feel familiar to fans of the PBS Kids show Cyberchase and welcoming to kids who’ve never seen the show. The games stand out from others mostly due to thoughtful leveling, unique gameplay, and supports when learners struggle with a level. Though instructions skillfully weave critical thinking and shapes lessons into the basic information learners need to navigate the games, it helps if learners know a bit about shapes. However, if they know too much, even the clever leveling may not be enough to provide learners a challenge. The game that stands out as most unique is the augmented reality puzzle set, which is a nice approach to using shapes in a new and interesting way. Gameplay isn’t always smooth, however, and kids may need a significant amount of practice to get the hang of it. Even after ample practice, play can still be a bit awkward.

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.pbskids.cyberchasear

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id777790860?uo=4&at=10laCG&ct=website

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JKSXAJQ?tag=comsenmed07-20

Overall User Consensus About the App

Student Engagement

There are hours of challenge with many levels, interesting games, and more than 80 puzzles, all featuring Cyberchase-themed characters.

Curriculum and Instruction

Kids learn by playing shape-themed games (including a 3D-augmented reality game) and solving puzzles. Instructions skillfully weave critical thinking and shapes lessons into the basic info kids need to play the games.

Customer Support

Progress data shows how many more shapes kids need to find as well as completed levels and earned points. Most of this is for players rather than adults looking to track specific skill development.