My curiosity and anticipation has been building for months and I am finally be able to write the Rube Works app review after its release.The excitement has been building for months a I have heard my friends on #StoryAppChat on Twitter discuss Rube Works: The Official Rube Goldberg Invention Game.
David Fox and his development company, Electric Eggplant, has shared his enthusiasm about his very interesting app and how hard at his company has been working to make it a success.
Rube Works is a very different type of interactive app for children but also for adults because it is challenging and calls on critical thinking skills. To fully appreciate the app, Rube Works, it is important to know a little of the history behind it. Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) graduated the University of California at Berkley with a degree in engineering. He then began a career as an engineer for the City of San Francisco Water and Sewers Department. His passion however was drawing cartoons, and after six months as an engineer he decided to follow his passion and left the sewers department to become an office boy in the sports department of a San Francisco newspaper. He began the arduous task of submitting drawing after drawing until he was finally published. He finally moved to New York to work for the Evening Mail and draw daily cartoons which led to syndication and eventually winning a Pulitzer Prize. He was also a beloved national figure and well quoted radio and TV personality.
Although Rube Goldberg created political cartoons, most people found his invention cartoons the most interesting. Because of his background in engineering, he loved to take a simple task such as taking the cotton out of an aspirin bottle and then drawing a complex machine that would then accomplish the simple task. He never built the machines but became an inspiration to aspiring engineers and scientists.
To play the game/puzzle, the player first goes through a set of instructions that explains the various places you find clues and hints to apply what is offered in the tool box. There are various ways these items can be assembled to find the solution. Each solution can be tested until the right combination of items and assembly works. It is a cause and effect type of puzzle but has 9 different puzzles presently with 9 more in development.
This app is not designed for young children under 9 years of age, but should be considered a great educational tool to encourage critical thinking in children and adults above that age. With my background in teaching and certification in gifted education, I can see the potential this app has for gifted children. In my opinion, it is encouraging to see a game of this level that pushes the mind to seek solutions instead of many of the game apps that use only repeated set functions.
Rube Works: The Official Rube Goldberg Invention Game”
Price: $2.99
Category: Education
Released: Nov 13, 2013
Version: 1.1.0
Size: 86.8 MB
Language: English
Seller: Unity Technologies Singapore Pte. Ltd
© Electric Eggplant and Heirs of Rube Goldberg, LLC
Rated 9+ for the following:
Infrequent/Mild Cartoon or Fantasy Violence
Available in the App Store for iPhone and iPad
My rating: ***** 5 stars
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