Ocean+Odyssey

Ocean Odyssey- []
**Sponsoring Organization: Engineering Interact, University of Cambridge - Department of Engineering **  ==Authority: Site author is Peter Stidwill. Peter works at the Multimedia Group in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. This project was initially done as part of his 4th year undergraduate MEng project with Science and Engineering Experiments for Kids. There is an email address and they do request feedback. ==
 * Date of Last Update:** The last date of copyright is 2004. There doesn't seem to have been much activity since that time.

 **Content:** Mel the Mermaid makes a deal with the evil Sea Serpent...he can have her voice if she can live above land. When things don't work out on land, she has to go through a series of challenges about sound. Topics include how sound vibrates, loudness and
 * Currency: While this site is over 5 years old, the content is still useful. **


 * Purpose:** The purpose is very clear...to demonstrate how sound works. There is no advertising on the site.


 * Organization/Design/Navigation:** There are a series of short animated clips the viewer needs to read, each one replaced by clicking on the sea shell.


 * Strengths:** This is very interactive. The students have to remain engaged to continue on throughout the three levels. You cannot skip a level and move to another one. The cartoon format is appealing to students. There is some humor involved as well.
 * Weaknesses:** The beginning moves a little slowly, with lots of clicking to move on to other screens. I also feel that having to do each level in order could serve as a weakness as well as a strength. There may be a part in level three that really goes with the lesson being taught, and having to go through 1 & 2 is a little annoying.


 * Instructional Uses:** I've used this website for students to learn or relearn key concepts on sound. It is best done independently as opposed to whole group, as the students get to click on the drum sticks, etc.


 * Benefits to Students:** This is very methodical in demonstrating the properties of sound. It allows you to go step by step and offers help from some cartoon characters if needed. It provides and interactive way to learn about an abstract concept.