Map Madness

Map Madness is an activity in JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Sapphire Falls. It is designed to teach geography skills at a fourth grade level.

Description
In order to uncover some gems pieces from behind a wall, Sally and TJ must move around the wall, which has a giant map of the world on it, and dig on the spots on the map indicated by the instructions. A clue will be given hinting at which country on the map contains a gem.

The player can move a mine car up, down, left, and right with the arrow keys to move it around the map. The space bar can be used to switch between a view of the whole map, and a closeup on where Sally and TJ currently. When the player thinks they are in the correct spot, the enter key must be pressed to dig there. The magnifying glass can be used to get more information about a country.

Moving the mine car uses up coal, and more coal can be collected all around the map to power it. Answering questions incorrectly also causes the mine car's coal supply to deplete.

The activity is complete when the player has collected ten gem pieces by answering ten questions correctly.

Difficulty level differences
In higher levels, there are more countries that the player may be questioned about.

Digital manual description
Gems are hidden in the wall. Help Sally and TJ find them by digging in the correct country. Use your arrow keys to steer the mine car around the map. Press the space bar to move between the whole map of the world and a close up view of each section. Press the enter key to make Sally use the pickaxe and dig in a country. Each time you dig in a correct country, you'll find a piece of gem. When you have ten pieces, they will fit together and make one large gem that will fit in the secret door.

If you would like to see more information about a country, click on the magnifying glass in the upper left corner of the screen. Move it over a country and click again. You will be shown more information about that country.

Keep your eye on the power gauge in the upper right corner of the screen. If you run out of power, you'll have to start the game over. Answering a question incorrectly will cause your power to drop. Pass the mine car over the coal deposits to increase your power.

Educational Skills

World Geography

World Capitals

Trivia

 * This activity appears to have been inspired by the Pirate Ship activity in JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Haunted Island.
 * Yugoslavia changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro and Zaire changed its name to Democratic Republic of the Congo.