ForgeFX is pleased to present this showcase of interactive 3D simulations created for Prentice Hall's middle grades science program called Science Explorer © 2005. The 10 sample projects available below represent the close to 100 interactive simulations and visualizations built to accompany their Science Explorer digital curriculum. From Pearson Prentice Hall™ Science Explorer © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall™. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Pearson Prentice Hall™ is a trademark of Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson® is a registered trademark of Pearson plc. Prentice Hall® is a registered trademark of Pearson Education, Inc.
	DESIGN AND TEST Science Explorer The Nature of Science and Technology size: 600k				This project simulates the Design and Test process through the development of a virtual paintball catapult. The student must build catapults capable of performing a variety of tasks, stay within the allotted budget, and interpret test results to fine tune their design.
	TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS Science Explorer Earth's Changing Surface size: 266k				This is a real-time 3D simulation that illustrates how topographic maps are created and used to depict changes in elevation. Students are able to sculpt mountains and valleys in real-time and see the changes to the corresponding topographic map.
	PHEROMONE TRAILS Science Explorer Animals size: 489k				A pheromone is a chemical released by one animal that affects the behavior of another animal of the same species. This is a real-time 3D simulation that demonstrates how ants use pheromones to communicate. The student is able to interact with the simulation's artificial intelligence and environment to see how the ants will react to changes in their environment.
	ECLIPSES Science Explorer Astronomy size: 418k				When the moon's shadow hits Earth or Earth's shadow hits the moon, an eclipse occurs. This real-time 3D simulation of the Sun, Earth, and moon explains lunar and solar eclipses, as well as the defined moon phases. The student can manipulate the Sun, the Earth, and the moon into all of their phases as well as view the phases from a variety of different perspectives.
	SEISMIC WAVES Science Explorer Inside Earth size: 216k				Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake. This real-time 3D application allows users to create seismic waves of any magnitude and pass them through a variety of terrains. The student can view the seismic activity in the terrain through both a textured and wire frame view.
	OCEAN WAVES Science Explorer Earth's Waters size: 372k				Most waves form when winds blowing across the water's surface transmit their energy to the water. This is a real-time 3D wave simulator which demonstrates the connection between wind speed and ocean particle motion depth. The student can modify the properties of an ocean wave and see the effect from any perspective.
	SOLAR SYSTEM Science Explorer Astronomy size: 944k				About five billion years ago, a giant cloud of gas and dust, or nebula, collapsed to form the solar system. This real-time 3D simulation allows the student to inspect our solar system from any angle or vantage point as well as gain detailed information about each element.
	PLANT & ANIMAL CELLS Science Explorer Cells and Heredity size: 792k				Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things. This real-time 3D model allows the user to inspect the structures of both plant and animal cells. The student is able to explore the entire cell from any angle as well as drill down to individual organelles of the cell for more information and a better view.
	4-STROKE ENGINE Science Explorer Motion, Forces, and Energy size: 544k				Most automobiles use four-stroke heat engines. These four-strokes occur repeatedly in each cylinder in the engine. This is a real-time 3D simulation which allows the student to explore how a four stroke engine works and to gain an understanding of the different strokes involved.
	BIOMES Science Explorer Environmental Science size: 621k				A biome is a group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms. This is a real-time 3D application which allows users to examine the different biomes on the planet Earth. Students can rotate the globe to any angle, identify and choose biomes, and find out detailed information about a city in each biome.