SMUDGE THE SCIENTIST BECOMES THE NEW MASCOT FOR ELEMENTARY LEARNING

East Dorset, VT. December 19, 2001. A big-eared black and white dog has wagged his way into classrooms across America, making Smudge the Scientist one of the most popular software programs in the Tool Factory line-up. Kids eagerly follow the adorable Smudge into a variety of interactive experiments covering these fundamental science concepts: Life and Living, Decay, Magnetism and Electricity, Weather, and Floating and Sinking.

In the "From Seeds to Plants" experiment, Smudge plants sunflower seeds, and kids help them grow. By simply dragging and dropping pictures of the sun, rain, snow, and a watering can, kids control the conditions that make growth possible. But watch out…choosing too much sun or snow will make the flowers wilt or freeze! If students need help or more information, Smudge's best friend Cecily the cat gives them tips such as, "A plant starts off as a seed, which grows a root, and then a shoot." A magnifying glass dragged onto any object identifies it, and a weather chart tracks the weather by week and day. In the Fact File, kids learn about topics such as germination, and clear pictures illustrate each concept.

Follow Smudge to another area of his backyard to learn about the processes of decay. Drag items such as an apple, a glass bottle, a fish, or a paper bag into a hole in the ground. Then click on Smudge and watch him bury the item. Scroll through a few weeks of the calendar in the upper right hand corner, and then make Smudge dig up your item. What's left? Cecily the cat will help explain what you find by telling you about the minerals in soil, such as iron, that make things decay.

In some activities kids complete simple diagrams of plants and electrical circuits by dragging parts to the appropriate outlined spaces, then attaching labels to name each part. In "Connecting the Kennel," complete an electrical circuit and then light up Smudge's house. Then try "The Good Conductor" to see which objects conduct electricity in a circuit. Is Smudge's bowl a conductor? How about a paper clip?

The Magnetism section has students drag objects into Smudge's basket, over which is suspended a giant magnet. Each object will rise up and stick to the magnet with a whack if it is magnetic, or remain in the basket if it isn't. After completing this fun activity, kids go to the "Grouping" section where they classify objects by dragging them into "Magnetic" or "Not Magnetic" circles. Again, Cecily the cat enriches the activities with scientific facts that make the concepts stick in students' minds.

More fun experiments can be carried out in a pool in Smudge's backyard. Test a beach ball, Smudge's favorite bone, a key, and other items by dropping them in the pool and seeing if they sink or float. Then go to the "Grouping" activity to organize the objects in a chart with "Will Float" and "Will Sink" categories.

"Seasonal Slices" give students the opportunity to associate a variety of items with the season to which they are most appropriate. Such an activity will reinforce the lessons taught in early morning sessions at the kindergarten and first-grade levels, while investigations into decay, plant growth, and electricity are great for second and third graders. Each section of Smudge the Scientist includes at least one interactive activity, an on-screen notebook for kids to record observations, a grouping activity, and a fact file answering the questions "How? Why? What will happen if?" Teachers and students can choose to have all text read to them automatically, making this program ideal for non-readers and beginning readers. Smudge knows all the tricks for making science irresistible for young learners.

Minimum System Requirements

Windows 3.1/NT Mac: OS7.0 or higher

To Order

The single unit price is $49.95
To order toll free from the US or Canada call (800) 220-8386
Fax your order to (802) 375-6860
Email your order to orders@toolfactory.com
Printable order forms are available at www.toolfactory.com

About Tool Factory, Inc.

Tool Factory conducted an exhaustive search for unique educational software in various markets around the globe. Their flagship product line consists of 17 educational software tools, which were hand-picked for their innovative contribution to computer-based learning. To complement the tools and applications, Tool Factory is also distributing an extensive range of curriculum titles throughout North America. Their first catalog includes over 100 CD-ROM products, most of which are new releases in North America.

For press inquiries, please contact Kendra Ericson at kendra@toolfactory.com Tool Factory, Inc. 3336 Sunderland Hill Road, Sunderland, VT 05250, USA.