Review by Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Education | Updated August 2013

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Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics

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Kids explore concepts in fun but sometimes frustrating mini-games

Common Sense says

3

Rating Details

Teachers say (1 Review)

$avg_user_learning_rating

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Grades

7-12 This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.

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Pros: It's a free app; unlimited replays let kids try and fail and try again.

Cons: Mini-games are uneven, and the app can be sluggish.

Bottom Line: Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics can be a fun -- but potentially frustrating -- way to learn about concepts.

Lesson & Activity Ideas

Put kids in a virtual lab, experimenting with mechanical engineering concepts and simple machines. Talk to kids about their failed attempts and have them reflect on what they learned from those as well as from their successful attempts in the games. Encourage kids to read the Learn More section and review it before replaying a game.

Tool Overview

Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics is one of three STEAM -- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math -- apps from Autodesk, known for many professional-level engineering and architecture products. A taunting cat and crafty mouse lead kids through five mini-games that demonstrate different mechanical principles: "Energy & Work," "Force," "Power," "Loading," and "Mechanisms." Kids can replay games as many times as they want to, but even if they don't win, they can move on to others. Brief instructions introduce each game, and kids can read about the concepts and see diagrams of it in action, but they'll use a lot of trial and error in their hands-on application of the concepts within each game. In "Energy & Work," kids navigate a hot air balloon using fuel for energy. In "Force," they use a catapult to fire balls at the enemy cat. In "Loading," kids use a crane to load varied weights onto trucks. In "Power," kids have to land a spaceship on the moon, and in "Mechanism," they navigate a flying machine and collect cheese along the way.

The app responds slowly sometimes and crashes occasionally. Still, it's a free app offering overall engaging mini-games and well-written explanations of concepts, so it's worth checking out.

Learning Value

Kids can learn some of the principles of applied mechanics with Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics. They'll learn by reading and examining diagrams about each interrelated concept: energy & work, force, power, loading, and mechanisms. These concepts are essential for understanding how things work, as well as for creating solutions.

Kids get to apply what they've learned in each of the mini-games, but the games are uneven. Some are quite challenging, almost to the point of frustration. Players don't get any hints. They'll fail, and then they'll try again (and again and again, maybe) as they attempt to apply what they've learned. This approach could work well, but the information they're learning often won't help them actually master the games. Other games are relatively easy and don't always have good replay value.

Rating Details

Overall Rating

3

Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

3

Some of the mini-games are fun and challenging, offering good replay value as kids try and try again. Others may simply frustrate.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

3

Kids get hands on in mini-games as they apply concepts they've read about. The written text is good overall, but the games aren't interactive and offer no audio support.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

2

There's no score tracking, help, or hints; the point is for kids to figure things out on their own. At best, they may fail, try again, and eventually find success.

Common Sense Reviewer

Amanda Bindel Classroom teacher

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Teacher Reviews

4

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Featured review by
Mona E. , Technology coordinator

Technology coordinator

Huntington High School
Huntington, WV

4

The games are interesting but can be very frustrating.

I find the games frustrating to complete but I feel my students would do a much better job with the concepts.

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Reading Science/Technical
RST.6-8: Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
RST.6-8.10	By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
RST.9-10: Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
RST.9-10.10	By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
RST.11-12: Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
RST.11-12.10	By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11–12 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Energy
4-PS3
4-PS3-1	Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.
4-PS3-4	Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
MS-PS3
MS-PS3-4	Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.
MS-PS3-5	Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.
Engineering Design
3-5-ETS1
3-5-ETS1-1	Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
HS-ETS1
HS-ETS1-1	Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
MS-ETS1
MS-ETS1-1	Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
5-PS2
5-PS2-1	Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics

Kids explore concepts in fun but sometimes frustrating mini-games

Subjects and Skills: Autodesk Digital STEAM Applied Mechanics

Take a look inside

Lesson & Activity Ideas

Tool Overview

Learning Value

Rating Details

Overall Rating

Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Key Standards Supported

Reading Science/Technical

Key Standards Supported

Energy

4-PS3

MS-PS3

Engineering Design

3-5-ETS1

HS-ETS1

MS-ETS1

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

5-PS2

Teacher Reviews

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