PBS KIDS released its first augmented reality app for iPhone and iPod touch called FETCH! Lunch Rush.
The free app is designed as a 3-D game, which helps kids visualize the math problems they are trying to solve.
“Augmented reality is becoming a popular marketing tool and a compelling feature for gamers, but no one has fully explored what this could mean for educating children,” said Jason Seiken, senior vice president, Interactive, Product Development and Innovation, PBS.
The Fetch! Lunch Rush app was produced by PBS member station WGBH and is based on the PBS KIDS GO! series FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman, also produced by WGBH. In this multiplayer app, Ruff Ruffman has to collect the lunch order for his studio crew. The challenge is keeping track of how many pieces of sushi everyone wants using augmented reality “markers” (printable hand-outs) that prompt activity within the app. The app uses 3-D imagery to reinforce the early algebraic concepts, helping kids to make the connection between real objects and corresponding numeric symbols.
FYI – PaperSpecs will be offering a free 90-minute webinar in December on Augmented Reality (AR) and Quick Response (QR) codes. Guest speaker will be Daniel Dejan of Sappi Fine Paper North America. We are expecting space to fill up fast for this special event so if you would like to receive advance notice, please send your request to [email protected].
