Review by Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Education | Updated November 2012
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Geared 2!

Get it now
  • Download from App Store

Send a hamster flying off his wheel by choosing the right gears

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Science
Skills
  • Critical Thinking
Grades This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.
3–12
Common Sense says (See details)
Teachers say (2 Reviews)
Privacy rating (How we rate)
Not yet rated
Price:  $2.99
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Take a look inside

4 images
The levels start out easy with a few gears and easy placement.
As the levels advance, the challenges increase.
Obstacles are added, such as gears that should be avoided.
The complexity increases with different gears that move different ways.

Pros: Geared 2! is easy to start playing but keeps increasing the challenge.

Cons: Without hints or help, kids may eventually get stuck at a challenging level.

Bottom Line: Students will need to use logic and trial-and-error skills to learn how gears work.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Teachers could incorporate Geared 2! into a unit on simple machines that already has students working hands-on with gears and other simple machines.

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Standards:

This engaging puzzler teaches physics and simple machines. Students must position gears so the teeth meet and the gears rotate. As students try to guide a gear into position, its color changes to let them know whether it can be placed or not. If so, kids see -- somewhat graphically -- how gears can increase the speed of the source. For example, a hamster wheel rotates so much faster once the gears are in place that the hamster flies right off! Other details are amusing; the hamster makes a fun "yawn" sound effect when he’s bored because the gears aren’t moving fast enough, and he squeals when he’s flung.

Once he flies off, students see a report showing how long it took them to solve the level, how many moves they made, the distance they dragged the gears, the difficulty level, and how many levels they’ve completed.

The silly fun and challenging physics of Geared 2! will encourage kids to use logic and strategy to solve each puzzle. As the challenges build and students need to add obstacles, they'll use critical thinking and trial-and-error tests. Each level gets a bit more difficult, and the 60 levels will keep them challenged for quite a while. They can also create their own puzzles using the level editor or play puzzles created by other players.

Overall Rating
Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

This well-developed physics puzzler is fun and challenging. Kids will get a kick out of learning how gear quantity and size impact speed as they see the hamster flung from his wheel.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

Geared 2! slowly ramps up the difficulty level but kids will find endless challenge in the 60 official levels and the create-your-own level editor.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

Without hints or help, kids may get stuck at a challenging level. They can see their scores and performance data at each level and in the statistics category.

Common Sense Reviewer
Amanda Bindel Classroom teacher
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

  • 3-PS2-2

    Make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.

  • 5-PS2-1

    Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

  • K-PS2-2

    Analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.

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Teacher Reviews

(See all 2 reviews) (2 reviews) Write a review
Featured review by
Gary S. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
Webster City Middle School
Webster City, United States
Good interactive stretch activity
I don't see this app being used in a teacher's mandated curriculum. While Geared 2 is entertaining and challenging the further you get into it, the one benefit I see from working with it is using logical thinking skills. The lack of a help section drops this app down the list of useful apps, in my opinion. I kept looking for the hints, but never did find them. Some on the screen helpful prompts would have been great. Instead, I was left to totally guess how to work the app. Once I got stuck, there ...
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