Once you've absorbed a bit of information about what the inventors are trying to do, you can manipulate the equipment and try new combinations, learning what works and what doesn't, and ultimately design your own experiments. This unique feature is a great asset for the creative learner; hours can whiz by as you try new combinations, take notes, and keep working on your invention. With this program, kids and grownups can develop the same critical reasoning skills that inventors and scientists use every day, rather than just passively reading about the process.

The interface and lab graphics are gorgeous and easy to get lost in as you explore the labs, inventions, and timelines that reveal the inventors' historical surroundings. The software itself is easy to install and doesn't drain system resources, making it great for older computers as well as this year's models. Show those 19th-century know-it-alls that you've got what it takes, too: pick up InventorLabs Technology and get to work. (Ages 10 and older) --Rob Lightner

Amazon.com Product Description
Have you ever wondered how everyday objects such as the telephone, light bulb, and movie camera came into being? InventorLabs Technology invites you to enter the fascinating worlds of three great inventors and re-create their amazing discoveries. Conduct electrifying experiments in Thomas Edison's turn-of-the-century laboratory. Reinvent the telephone with Alexander Graham Bell, and hear the clang of pistons and the hiss of steam as you enter James Watt's 18th-century workshop. Science springs to life in a thrilling, hands-on exploration of the greatest inventors in history.

You'll be transported to another world as you wander through each laboratory, opening drawers, picking up tools, and exploring real drawings, sketches, and notebooks. Meet the extraordinary men who helped shape the future. Probe the innermost workings of their remarkable inventions. Then test your wits by conducting dozens of experiments with hundreds of unique outcomes.

Master the art of scientific inquiry. Like the great inventors, you'll learn from your failures as much as your accomplishments. An Experiment Diary records your progress as you master the art of scientific observation, experimentation, and analysis. You'll build modern-day skills as you solve the great engineering puzzles of yesteryear.