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App review by Jason Shiroff, Common Sense Education | Updated October 2016
TinkerBox

TinkerBox

Fantastic physics puzzler puts a virtual Maker Faire in kids' hands

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Community rating
Based on 2 reviews
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Grades
6–12
Subjects & Skills
Science, Creativity, Critical Thinking
Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
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Take a look inside

5 images
Kids create their own inventions from scratch or by tweaking existing inventions.
In the physics-based puzzles section, students engineer solutions using the available tools.
When engineering their own invention, kids choose which tools serve their purpose.
A tutorial demonstrates each tool and ways to use it.
Kids can play in Puzzles mode or Invent mode to complete the puzzlers, create their own, or add to existing demos.

Pros: Several levels of challenging puzzles, plus the option for kids to be creators.

Cons: The design may turn some off, and the TinkerBox help page is no longer supported online.

Bottom Line: TinkerBox is a rich resource for kids to learn, practice, and apply physics and engineering principles.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Tinkering is hands-on problem-solving and creating, but it can get messy and expensive. TinkerBox let kids experiment, solve problems, and create without needing supplies or space to work.

Students can work individually or in pairs. Allow some creative time for their own interests, or present a problem for students to solve. Have students create inventions virtually first, and then translate those creations to real-world prototypes.

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Standards:

Editor's Note: TinkerBox is no longer available.

TinkerBox is part game, part creative outlet. Kids can work their way through the six levels of puzzles, each offering multiple stages, where they drag the right object into place to solve a simple physics problem -- think Rube Goldberg machines. Kids complete one level to unlock the next, more challenging one. The training level demonstrates the mechanics with lines and arrows to prepare kids for the challenges to come.

Students can also create their own inventions using the objects: balls, bolts, chains, connectors, conveyer belts, fans, wheels, ropes, scissors, switches, wrenches, and more. The app comes preloaded with several inventions, and kids can alter those inventions or study them for inspiration.

TinkerBox is an impressive tool for kids interested in engineering. Either option -- the puzzles or the inventions -- alone is worth an investment, and TinkerBox includes both for free. The number of objects available for building is extensive, which is good, since the physics of the higher levels can get quite challenging. Kids are empowered to create the machines they want and can choose which objects will create the outcome they desire. They can also learn a bit of history about each tool as they learn how to effectively use it in the Elements Help section. 

Students learn the basic concepts through the tutorial, practice in the puzzle section, and apply their knowledge in the invention section. Scaffolding is built in since kids can load existing inventions and customize them. While the industrial appearance of the lab may turn off some students, TinkerBox is still an all-in-one teaching tool that should appeal to many.

Overall Rating
Engagement

Kids interested in engineering will be drawn in, but some may be turned off by the industrial-looking design.

Pedagogy

Kids will learn, practice, and apply engineering skills through each level by creating inventions and solving puzzles. 

Support

The help features and tutorials demonstrate each object, and kids can extend learning by exploring more demos on the developer's website.

Common Sense reviewer
Jason Shiroff Classroom teacher
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Key Standards Supported

Energy

  • 4-PS3-1

    Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

Engineering Design

  • 3-5-ETS1-2

    Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

  • 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.

  • MS-ETS1-2

    Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

  • MS-ETS1-3

    Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

  • HS-ETS1-2

    Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

  • 3-PS2-1

    Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

  • 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.

  • MS-PS2-2

    Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.

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Community Rating

(See all 2 reviews) (2 reviews)
Featured review by
Rebecca C. , Technology coordinator
Technology coordinator
Omaha Public Schools
Omaha, United States
A fun way to get kids thinking about Engineering and Physics!
Overall a great physics puzzle game to get students interested and thinking about engineering. I found it a great activity to reference before we talked about coding as well...that step-by-step mindset is a different way of thinking for lots of students. My higher level students went on to the "create" button to design their own puzzles. One BIG drawback that a teacher needs to plan for...the app does not save the levels that are completed! If you have a student who is super-engaged and they make it to ...
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