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Star Wars Yoda�s Challenge Activity Center By Pam Gleichman Tribune Media Services Star Wars Yoda�s Challenge Activity Center is a mission-based activity center based on the film "Star Wars: Episode I the Phantom Menace." You�re invited into the Jedi chamber where you can choose from six challenging games and puzzles. In one activity, you help unscramble the queen�s computer by solving Tangram Puzzles. When the puzzle is complete, you are rewarded with a picture of a Star Wars character or vehicle. The picture, along with information about it, can be printed out and saved. Other activities include creating a song book for Anakin Skywalker, trapping Battle Droids in the forest to help save the environment, helping to program C-3PO�s memory, exploring a Naboo Swamp Cave and guiding Jar Jar or Queen Amidala through obstacle courses to the finish line. Each activity has four levels of difficulty, which are designed to gradually get more difficult and complex. When all levels are completed in each activity, a certificate of completion can be printed out. Star Wars Yoda�s Challenge Activity Center brought to mind Disney�s Tarzan Activity Center, which I reviewed last month. As with the Tarzan program, children who are Star Wars fans got very excited about the program and maintained their interest in the program. Children not familiar with Star Wars, however, also quickly became engaged. They loved exploring the Naboo Swamp Cave in order to find hidden gems, and solving Tangram Puzzles with the queen. Although Lucas Learning promotes the math, music and reading content in the program, I thought it was limited. Children will benefit in these areas, but I don�t recommend purchasing the program for the educational content. The program�s strength is that it is fun and tweaks critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Publisher : Lucas Learning, P.O. Box 10667, San Rafael, Calif. 94912, (415) 444-8800, http://www.lucaslearning.com . Category : Math, music and reading. Age : 6 to 8. Installation : Easy. Use : Easy. All instructions are given orally. In addition, subtitles let children read along. Graphics : Very good. Written Materials : A "Jedi Manual" with game instructions is included. System Requirements : Windows 95 or 98, DirectX 6.1 (included on disk), Pentium 133 MHz or faster, 32 MB RAM minimum, 100 percent DirectX compatible PCI or AGP graphics card, 100 percent DirectX compatible 16-bit sound card, 4X IDE or SCSI CD-ROM drive, Windows compatible mouse and keyboard, Minimum 80 MB free hard disk space required. Macintosh � Apple Macintosh and 100 percent compatibles, Mac OS version 7.6 or higher, minimum 160 MHz PowerPC 603e, 120 MHz PowerPC 604, or any G3 or faster processor, 32 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, mouse and keyboard, 640 X480 display with thousands of colors, minimum 30 MB free hard disk space. Tested Version : Windows 95/98/Macintosh CD-ROM. Cost : $29.95. Rating : Three and a half stars. Star Wars Yoda�s Challenge Activity Center is a fun and engaging program. DEAR PAM : I am a 14-year-old high school freshman. I was wondering if you knew of any math programs that would help me supplement the instruction I am getting in class. I am currently taking Algebra. DEAR READER : The Princeton Review Math Library (The Learning Company 800-716-8506) is a six-CD Suite that covers Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra 2 Trigonometry and Calculus. The program works on Windows 3.1/Windows 99/98/ Macintosh. Math Advantage 2000 (Aces Research 310-342-0600) is a seven-CD Suite. In addition to the subjects from the Princeton Review title, it also covers Pre-Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Statistics. It requires Windows 95/98 or a Power Macintosh. Both programs sell for $29.95. WEB SITE OF THE WEEK THE JELLY BELLY FACTORY TOUR http://www.jellybelly.com Take a tour of the Jelly Belly factory and discover how jellybeans are made. Find out all about your favorite flavor of jelly belly. You�ll learn the history of Jelly Bellies and get great recipes in 14 different languages. For example, two strawberry jelly bellies plus one chocolate pudding equals chocolate covered strawberries. RATING KEY : ***** � Outstanding; **** � Very Good; *** � Good; ** � Fair; * � Not Worth Purchasing. Pam Gleichman welcomes questions/comments from readers. Write to Pam at Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, Ill. 60611. Send e-mail to [email protected] . © 1999 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Techno file index Mail Tribune Copyright © The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA