Description:
Whether used on its own or in conjunction with a textbook and course, StudyWorks! Science Deluxe is an exceptional learning tool for both curious students and those who need extra help with their science coursework. While the bulk of the material is presented much like a digital textbook, with lots of text and illustrations, other areas of the package really shine. Some of our favorites include the pop-up glossary and the ability to alter equations to see other results. The StudyWorks! Online forum offers a wealth of resources for students to support their learning with the software package. An online bulletin board tackles topic questions, while various features are updated weekly to remain interesting and engaging. Online tests are kept current and supplement the software. Features like the interactive periodic table, as well as dozens of reference tables related to the properties of metals, liquids, gases, and solids, go far above what a textbook can present. Overall, the text is well-illustrated and the various equations are tinker-friendly: simply click on the equation and alter various elements to see a different result. Another noteworthy area of StudyWorks! Science Deluxe is the Games and Activities section. The Chemical Equation Balancer allows students to quiz themselves on balancing equations or to enter an equation and have the software balance it for them, even designating reactants and products. The Science in Your Career section gives a look at dozens of fields related to science, including everything from a planetarium producer to a dinosaur wrangler. The predator-prey simulation offers a lively look at the relationships that affect animal populations, while the animated photosynthesis slide show presents a detailed movie about this process, from the plant level to the cellular level. Younger students will find the Science Study Tips particularly useful, not only for learning science but also for other subject areas. This section encourages students to discover their own learning style, manage time efficiently, approach tests with confidence, and to harness their own strengths when studying. In some areas of the package we would have liked to see more illustrations and more use of multimedia. However, most students should find StudyWorks! Science Deluxe to be an engaging and interactive way to help tackle science class. --Emilie Dirks
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