"Lizard Island: Observation" by Budding Biologist

I was recently given the opportunity to demo a new game created by a new and upcoming company called Budding Biologists. A team of two moms, Dr. Kristine (Kris) Callis-Duehl and Katy Castronovo, who were appalled by the accuracy of the books and games that were available for their kids.

The two women have already written several successful children's books, such as Am I an Insect? and Where do I live?. Both books feature illustrations drawn by Katy which are designed to be as accurate as possible to the living creature. They want to create educational materials for kids that not only match up with core standards, but also look and feel just as fun as any other book or game.

Lizard Island: Observation is the first game of three that gradually introduces children, ranging from kindergarten age to fifth grade, into thinking and playing like scientists. The graphic design of the world you play in is incredibly realistic and the tools are easy to learn and fun to use, especially when a lizard is on the run and you are trying to tilt the screen just right to snap a picture.

One technique the game uses to get kids thinking teaches basic permutations for tagging each lizard when you catch it. You are only given three colours to work with and, as more and more lizards show up each level, you need to get creative in creating as many new combinations as possible so no lizard has the same tag as another.

The two sequels are designed to build on the knowledge gained from playing the first game, while increasing the range of topics covered.

Lizard Island: Hypothesis changes your point of view from playing as the scientist, whose goal is to study and collect data on the different lizard, but as one of the very lizards you were previously studying. Now, your goal becomes survival by learning how lizards find food, water, and shelter, while also hiding from any predators that are hanging around.

The third game in the series will be called Lizard Island: Experiment, which takes players a step further by combining what they learned from both previous games and teaching them how to build a stable ecosystems while creating their very own Lizard Island. Little scientists will get to choose which plants to grow in different areas of their island and also choose which animals will live there, then see how their ecosystem thrives.

Lizard Island is a great way to boost your child’s knowledge of biology at an earlier age or supplement a science program. Just be warned, you may soon have to hunt down a lab coat and magnifying glass for your “budding biologist.”