Monday, August 15, 2011

Math Blaster Review & Giveaway

Math Blaster

I just might have mentioned a time or two on my blog that math is not my strongest subject. It was the one subject in school that I feared. I’m trying my hardest not to pass down my math phobia to my kids, so I am always open to finding ways to sneak math into our day. Knowledge Adventure asked me to check out Math Blaster. Since I have at least one kid who is highly motivated by doing work on the computer, I agreed.

What Is It?

mathblaster2

Math Blaster is an futuristic space-themed online game which incorporates various math topics and levels. It is geared toward 6yr.- 12yr. olds. In addition, membership also allows you to access Jump Start, a virtual world for kids ages 3-10.

What We Thought:

I had my 9yr. old daughter test this game out with me. The first day she played, she spent most of the time changing her avatar’s clothes and hairstyles—lol. The next day she explored the various games available.

mathblaster

Here is a list of some of the games and the concepts presented:

  • Math Facts (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division)
    • Zapper Turret Training
    • HyperBlast Training
    • Alien Wrangler
  • Fractions, Decimals and Percents
    • Bolt Cruncher
  • Money
    • Oozami
  • Place Values
    • Ooozami
  • 3D Figures
    • Bolt Cruncher

My daughter really enjoyed this game---especially the HyperBlast Training. I on the other hand, am uncoordinated. Most of the games required the use of the arrow keys to move. It took all my daughter’s self-control not to grab the keyboard from me while playing. Yes, I was that pitiful. I’m starting to get the hang of it now. :)

There are many areas of the game that I would consider time-wasters (ie changing your avatars clothes) but they appeal to kids. Obviously this is a supplemental math tool, so I can overlook those sections. I did however, need to redirect my daughter on a couple of occasions to go to the games that were math-oriented. If you are looking for a way to combine gaming entertainment with some learning, then Math Blaster and Jump Start are perfect options to consider.

Math Blaster Membership Information
Math Blaster Blog

Giveaway: CLOSED

Math Blaster is giving away a 3-month free membership! This is for the online program—no physical product will be sent.

The Details:
Mandatory Entry: Was math your favorite subject? Why, or why not?
Optional entry: Share on Twitter

*Giveaway runs from Aug. 16th – August 27th. 
*Winner will be drawn by random.org and will be emailed.
*Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.
*Please leave your email address in a comment or visible on your profile.

Disclosure: I was provided with a membership good for Math Blaster and Knowledge Adventure at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

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21 Comments:

Blogger Eddie said...

I have to say I'm intrigued by the name "Alien Wrangler"! Please count me in for the giveaway.

In answer to your question: NO, I detested math with every fiber of my being until college, when I discovered that I was actually pretty good at real-world math.

I have an older brother (now an accountant) who was always a couple of years ahead of me with the same teachers, and scored 98-100% every time, so there were always comparisons made between us, usually in front of the class and never in my favour. :)

August 16, 2011 at 9:46 AM  
Blogger Charmaine said...

Math was NOT my favorite subject and I would love to change that for my kids!

August 16, 2011 at 9:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

math was absolutely not my favorite subject either! my daughter doesn't care for it, I would love to make it fun for her.


homeschoolingmygirl at yahoo dot com

August 16, 2011 at 10:57 AM  
Blogger dmauton said...

I loved math until I got into Algebra. Then it all went downhill from there. lol But I enjoy learning now and am looking forward to learning more math. lol

August 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM  
Blogger Sigalit Chana said...

I like portions of math, like geometry =)

August 16, 2011 at 11:26 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to say math was not my favorite subject. My brain just does not work that way :)
Jess jdjmcc@aol.com

August 16, 2011 at 11:32 AM  
Anonymous Melanie said...

Nope, not my favorite subject....yet once I hit algebra I found a new love for it. I did/do love, love, love statistics and think a beginning course should be mandatory in high school (rather than, say, trig)...if nothing else to become a better critical thinker while reading the news!

August 16, 2011 at 12:14 PM  
Blogger Caterina said...

This looks great!
Math was a subject that was not my favorite but I did do well in it. I liked Geometry. I always looked at it like solving a puzzle.
Thanks,
Caterina
scottmangano@aol.com

August 17, 2011 at 8:39 AM  
Blogger Ticia said...

We love Jump Start and all 3 of my kids are using it, so YAY for this giveaway.

Math was not my favorite but I did grow to really love it in middle school thanks to an awesome 6th grade teacher.

August 17, 2011 at 8:49 AM  
Blogger Marla said...

I hated geometry! It just never made any sense! However, I loved algebra and trig. :)

August 17, 2011 at 9:44 AM  
Blogger dgrumbley said...

My son loves math, I however do not! Hope I win! grumbleyfamily@aol.com

August 17, 2011 at 4:53 PM  
Blogger Leigh Owens said...

I hated math! I failed geometry in high school and had to take it again. Then I failed Algebra II and just gave it up. Thank the Lord for Teaching Textbooks! This game sounds like it would be great to help my 3rd grader finally learn her basic math facts. We've been struggling with those for 3 years now.

August 17, 2011 at 9:48 PM  
Blogger Leigh Owens said...

Shared on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/#!/leigh_owens/status/104008101165924352

August 17, 2011 at 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, it was not my favorite subject because I just could not grasp it. I struggled through it but, fortunately, in college I had a great prof. who encouraged her students every day by writing a Proverb on the board and by patiently explaining things. The free tutoring also helped!
waltandkelli@frontier.com

August 19, 2011 at 6:51 AM  
Anonymous April said...

I have always LOVED Algebra and I still do! I tutor 3 public school students in Algebra right now so I still get my 'fix.' My dd is only in 3rd grade, so we are not quite there yet. I love Math Blaster and this is an awesome giveaway! Thank you!

August 19, 2011 at 7:11 AM  
Blogger Sally Stensaas said...

Yes, math was one of my favorite subjects because once you had the formula or facts, it made sense. However, I am not good at teaching my kids math, so this would be great.

August 20, 2011 at 8:50 AM  
Anonymous Alethea G said...

Math was not my favorite subject in school. I think I used to break out in hives when I had to open a text book for math. I still do today. I think I didnt like it because I was taught too many concepts at once and I wasnt able to really master certain concepts. I find now that I am teaching math to my kids in fun ways using games and hands on activities, I am more confident with my own math abilities.

thegaukelfamily @ Gmail dot com

August 20, 2011 at 11:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Math was not my favorite subject but it was not my least favorite subject either.

kaos2me at gmail dot com

August 22, 2011 at 2:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I tweeted about this giveaway. (kaos2me)

kaos2me at gmail dot com

August 22, 2011 at 2:03 AM  
Blogger Tara said...

Math wasn't & still isn't my favorite...but I to hope to find ways to make it fun for my kiddos!

tarakelley05 at gmail dot com

August 22, 2011 at 11:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My favorite subject was science. I loved every second of it....second was math. allycupe at gmail dot com

August 23, 2011 at 11:48 AM  

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