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Magic Bus Basics   
Magic Bus software, designed for children under 10 years old, helps kids experiment with and explore technology.
Magic Bus Basics.doc (210.0k)
@Copyright 2003 - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Magic Bus Basics

The Magic School Bus software programs are interactive science programs for children ages 6 through 10. They require basic mouse and typing skills, but once you get children started, they can play and work independently. The programs are designed to encourage experimentation and exploration; children can click almost anywhere on the screen to see or hear a result. There is no set order for completing activities.

Title and Icon

Skills Developed

Selected Games and Activities

Magic School Bus in Concert

0x01 graphic

Physics of Sound

Memory

Instrument Identification

Printable Stage Pass

Puzzle

Game Show

Sound Waves Experiment

Magic School Bus Discovers Flight

0x01 graphic

Science of Flight

Critical Thinking

Printable Crew Pass

Printable Paper Airplane or Scene

Puzzle

Game Show

Simple Flight Simulation

Magic School Bus Lands on Mars

0x01 graphic

Astronomy

Problem Solving

Mars Geography

Printable Crew Pass

Printable Postcard

Puzzle

Game Show

Lander Game

Rover Game

Magic School Bus Whales and Dolphins

0x01 graphic

Marine Biology

Marine Mammal Facts

Marine Mammal Identification

Printable Crew Pass

Printable Scene

Puzzle

Game Show

Beluga Maze Game

Experiments

Basics in Magic School Bus Programs

To Start

Double-click a Magic School Bus icon.

To Quit

Click Quit. (Hint: You must be inside the bus.)

Click Yes.

To Print

Click the printer.

 

Common Elements in the Magic School Bus Programs

Click the Purple Arrow in the lower left corner of games to exit or go back a screen.

Click the question mark 0x01 graphic, Ms. Frizzle, or a classmate for help.

Click the left mouse button (or press ESC) to speed through the opening screens of the programs.

Click the radio 0x01 graphic in the bus to turn the music on and off.

Click the school bus door to “go outside” for more game and activity options.

Click the school bus to return to the bus.

If you want to turn on closed captioning, click the CC button.

There are easy, medium, and hard options on the games.

Troubleshooting

Stuck on the Pass screen? Type your name and click 0x01 graphic.

Printable Passes

Children can change the features of the face and hair to personalize the printable crew or stage pass. Children will frequently change and print a variety of passes.

 


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