Theatrix Interactive Introduces Big Science Comics; CD-ROM Adventure Game Gives Kids Tools To Understand Scientific Principles

Business Wire, Oct 7, 1996

EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1996--Theatrix Interactive Inc. an award-winning children's software publisher, today announced the release of Big Science Comics, a CD-ROM science discovery program for kids ages 8 to 12.

Kids develop scientific inquiry skills and an understanding of physical science as they create simple machines out of everyday objects. The adventure unfolds into a comic book with full animation and sound as kids lead a bunch of shipwrecked extraterrestrials back to their spaceship after it crash lands on Earth.

This unique comic book format is the navigational tool for Big Science Comics that lets kids progress to the next activity or return to previous activities for hours of open-ended play. Big Science Comics is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

As the Big Science Comics story line unfolds, kids are introduced to the Bumptz -- a crazy crew of space aliens who find themselves trapped in Bette's basement after their spaceship crash lands on Earth. Kids need to help the Bumptz escape by navigating a series of science challenges that await them in each room of Bette's house.

Under the guidance of Mo the Packrat, kids engage in hands-on experiments with simple household gadgets to help move the Bumptz from room to room. Mo keeps an online notebook for kids to make observations, look for patterns, and draw conclusions. With each experiment, kids explore the principles of weight, balance, force, energy, density, buoyancy, and more.

A different science challenge lurks in every room of Bette's house. In the basement, kids turn a coat hanger into a bridge by using the Bumptz to balance both sides as they learn the physics of weight and distance.

The spoon would make a great lever to open the kitchen window, but it's at the bottom of a sink full of water. Kids experiment with buoyancy, density, and displacement to get the spoon out.

Using a gardening sign as a catapult, kids grasp the concept of elastic force as they aim a chain reaction of Bumptz toward the garage door. When they reach the garage, kids use their scientific know-how to help the Bumptz rebuild their spaceship or simply hang out and create cool contraptions.

By the time the Bumptz blast off into space, kids have made observations, applied deductive reasoning, recorded and analyzed data, identified patterns, formed and tested hypotheses, and drawn their own conclusions. Now that's really BIG science!

"We were thrilled to develop Big Science Comics in cooperation with the National Science Foundation," said Joyce Hakansson, founder and creative director for Theatrix Interactive.

"Big Science Comics provides hands-on experimentation in an entertaining comic book format that will keep kids captivated as they develop scientific thinking skills. And the National Science Foundation involvement means that parents can trust Big Science Comics to meet the highest standards of educational excellence."

As a continuation of Theatrix' recently announced commitment to enable connectivity to the Theatrix Web site from its CD-ROM products, families with a computer, modem, phone line, and Internet service provider (ISP) can access the Theatrix Web site directly from the Big Science Comics CD-ROM.

For families that don't have an ISP, turnkey Internet access is offered on the Big Science Comics CD-ROM through AT&T WorldNet Service(SM). The Theatrix Web site can be found at http://www.theatrix.com.

Product Availability

Big Science Comics is available nationwide through retail channels as a hybrid CD-ROM for Windows 95, Windows 3.1, and Macintosh formats, or by calling Theatrix at 1-800-955-TRIX. Street pricing for Big Science Comics is expected to be about $30. School editions will be available this fall through educational dealers nationwide.

For consumer inquiries, the company Internet address is info@theatrix.com, or visit Theatrix on the World Wide Web at http://www.theatrix.com.

Windows minimum system requirements are 486/25 MHz; 8 MB RAM; 4 MB available disk space; 256 color VGA; double-speed CD-ROM drive; Windows 3.1 or Windows 95; 16-bit Windows-compatible sound card; mouse; speakers. Macintosh version minimum system requirements are LCIII; 8 MB RAM; 4 MB available disk space; 13" 256 color monitor; double-speed CD-ROM drive; System 7.1; accelerated for Power Macintosh.

Theatrix Interactive Inc., based in Emeryville, develops, publishes, markets, and distributes children's educational software. Theatrix focuses on helping kids develop reasoning, problem solving, and creative skills through highly engaging products that feature compelling story lines, hilarious characters, and exploratory environments.

The company's 1995 product line, winner of 30 awards to-date, includes Bumptz Science Carnival, Snootz Math Trek, Hollywood, and Juilliard Music Adventure. The 1996 product line includes Build-A-Book with Roberto, Hollywood High, Math Heads, and Big Science Comics.

The National Science Foundation's mission is to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense. The National Science Foundation funded the development of Big Science Comics through a Small Business Innovative Research grant. -0-