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<< Previous   of   Next >> Photo courtesy of Whizz Education  (click to enlarge) Math-Whizz Online Tutor   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, July 17, 2008 Online games teach math Whiz through the numbers: Summer reading lists are a given for most students. Summer problems sets, not so much. A new program, the Math-Whizz Online Tutor, hopes to change that, keeping math skills sharp as kids practice arithmetic between barbecues and pool parties. The Web-based program has won support from Mary Ann Stine, director of curriculum for Everett Public Schools. "Anytime you can make math fun and entertaining and engaging, and kids are learning, that's just a leg up," she said. The program, which is meant for ages 4 to 13, uses kid-friendly animation, filled with monkeys and flowers, to try and make the work more playful. Like an arcade game, users earn credits for doing well. Those credits can be redeemed to spruce up a virtual bedroom or even "buy" a virtual pet that is cared for by doing problem sets. "As fun as it is, they're still having to do math," said Ben Keogh, one of the program's founders. "But we incentivize the kids." Stine's endorsement of the program -- which was given based on her opinion, not any sort of financial arrangement, she said -- has resulted in a perk for Everett students. The program, generally $19.99 a month, is discounted to $14.99 a month. Learn more or register for the program at www.whizz.com. Andy Rathbun, Herald Writer, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455

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