14 DAY TRIAL // Autodesk, Inc. has released a new iOS application called TinkerBox. Specifically designed for iPad users, TinkerBox is a free game designed to spark teens’ interest in mechanical engineering.
Available immediately from the Apple App Store, TinkerBox allows players to experience invention, thus gaining confidence in their ability to excel in engineering, the company behind the popular AutoCAD Mac app said.
Players insert gadgets, assemble components and test their inventions, in order to solve the challenging mechanical puzzles and physics problems presented in Autodesk TinkerBox.
Players are inspired to create more and increasingly complex innovations, by completing each challenge.
An Invent mode enables players to design their own contraptions and share them with friends.
Committed to making science more accessible and fun for young people, in November 2010, Autodesk polled more than 1,000 American teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 to learn their inclinations toward academic subjects that make up the foundation for a career in engineering.
The survey found that teenagers not only understood the importance of engineering, but were also concerned that the subject matter was too difficult.
“More than half of all teens surveyed believe science and technology (54 percent) and engineering and math (53 percent) are important to their careers and future prosperity,” Autodesk said in a report issued today.
“Students don’t find the subjects boring or nerdy, but rank engineering and math doubly hard compared to other subjects (16 percent vs. 8 percent for English and languages),” the report reads.
As such, “Students need to be given opportunities to experience success with engineering long before they reach colleges and universities,” said Samir Hanna, vice president of Consumer Products at Autodesk.
“The Autodesk TinkerBox App shows kids how fun and exciting science and mechanical engineering can be,” Hanna believes.
“This game helps combat the idea that science and engineering are ‘too hard,’ while allowing kids to create some pretty amazing inventions,” Hanna said.
The Autodesk TinkerBox App is only compatible with the Apple iPad and requires iOS 3.2 or later. The software is supported on iOS 4.x iPads as well.