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Maths Practice App

IXL

Pettson's Inventions

Price: Android - Paid iPhone/iPad - Paid

Teacher Overview

Test your machine building skills using logic and reasoning and an array of unusual objects in this engaging game. Students help Pettson build inventions by working out which objects should be included and where they should be placed in the machine. They are rewarded with cog wheels for each invention that they finish and unlock. This app is suitable for use in both Key Stages 1 and 2.

Teacher Review

If you judge this app purely on its screenshots you might think that the app will be a bit complicated for young children.  Actually, the reverse is true, it might be a bit simple for older children.  While the app looks like the user is going to be creating Heath Robinson-style machines there is not that level of interaction.  The machines will only work when they are built into the predefined configuration.  
 
This makes it a great problem-solving exercise for younger children but not an engineering sandbox for budding inventors.  Picking up a component gives a clue to its use as it takes on the shape needed by the current problem.  Placing them in the correct place and in the correct order builds the machine.  Children need to think about how the pulleys, cogs and weights might work together.  
 
While there remains a feeling that it would have been great to put the parts together in totally unintended ways, this would have made the app prohibitively complicated for young children.  As it is, they will still be thinking, planning ahead and analysing what the machine's components do.  Their problem-solving skills will get a thorough workout.  It would be an ideal app for children and parents to use together so that parents can model problem-solving strategies and provide encouragement.
 
Pettson’s Inventions is a strikingly attractive app with its art direction matching its subject perfectly.  It might not be exactly what you expect on first sight, but it is still worth looking at its free version to decide whether to fully invest in it. 

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SubjectsSubject Category of the app

Maths

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Screenshots

Pettson
Pettson
Pettson
Pettson
Pettson

Developer Description

Help Pettson and Findus build their inventions! In this tricky game you should help build these clever inventions. You need to figure out which of the objects should be included and where to put them in the machines. Drag and drop the objects to their correct spot and watch the invention start. For every invention finished there will be a reward of a cogwheel. When you have finished all the inventions, a special invention will be unlocked where you will help Findus fly out to space! Pettson’s Inventions is a pedagogic app that practices logic and stimulates creativity early years foundation stage. 

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