New Educational CD-ROM Released for Kids

Date: June 22, 1999
Editor: D'Lyn Ford, (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- Kids across the country will soon be singing they're "Crazy About Corn," thanks to new materials developed at New Mexico State University.

"Crazy About Corn" is an educational CD-ROM that uses original songs and games to teach children ages 5 to 8 about corn, one of the most important native foods of the Americas. Fun activities include visiting Frank-corn-stein's castle or singing along with C.C. Corn and the Cobbettes.

The CD-ROM helps children improve fundamental skills in counting, geography, alphabetizing, pattern recognition, memory enhancement and elementary science.

"Crazy About Corn" was developed by educators with NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service. It has been approved by the New Mexico State Board of Education for distribution to all schools throughout the state.

"Crazy About Corn" won a prestigious Golden Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Award and was awarded first place in the CD-ROM Teaching Tools category. The product also won Outstanding Professional Skill awards for graphic design and informational technology from Agricultural Communicatiors in Education.

The CD-ROM will be available in two versions. The consumer version includes the CD-ROM and a kids' activity book with ideas for family fun. The educational version includes the CD-ROM, a videotape with music videos and educational segments, a teacher's resource guide, a "Hot Buttered Hits" audio cassette with song book and 30 copies of the kids' activity book. Individual components also will be available by special order.

To preview "Crazy About Corn," visit the Web site at: www.leadingobject.com. For more information, contact Leading Object media at 1-888-750-4156.