The Creatures of Light app for iPad is an excellent companion to the impressive exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. For those unable to make it to New York to see the exhibit in person, it provides a good overview and closely mirrors the stories of nature’s creatures who produce their own light.
Having been to the exhibit, I found much of the same content that was on display. Even the slightly macabre music plays in the background while flipping through the images.
This wasn’t a bad thing, however. It provided another chance to reconnect with stories like the angler fish or America’s favorite lightning bug – the firefly. A favorite is the glowworms who help light up caves with their own light.
And there are images aplenty; there is considerable stunning photography and interactive scenes that are very engaging for children (but adults will love them also). Better yet, you will not need to deal with the packed crowds that swallowed up most of the displays. As one of the newer temporary exhibits at the Museum of Natural History, patrons flocked to make their way through.
The interface is also very fluid, with plenty of places to touch and explore. It supplements the information that fills the museum well. It is even better for those who will not be able to attend, but are also fascinated by the ways that nature is able to produce its own light.
It takes a little used to getting around the app, but just pay attention to the tutorial and ways that some of the other elements interact with one another. As educational apps go, this is an excellent one to share with a child or just to bolster one’s own biological knowledge.
Download Creatures of Light for iPad from the App Store (Free)
On Target:
- Engaging interface
- Lots of content from the actual exhibit
Off the Mark:
- Viewing methods may confuse less tech-savvy users
