Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education [1], which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Click here [2]to read the full app review.
AMAZE [2]
What’s It Like?
Amaze is a website designed to help kids learn about sexual education, their changing bodies, and positive relationships. Created by three health and sexual information advocacy groups, the site serves as an online education resource for kids age 10 to 14. Short videos, which are released first on the site’s YouTube channel, then hosted on Amaze, focus on topics ranging from puberty for boys to STDs and HIV. Category listings have been included for pregnancy and personal safety, although there currently aren’t videos on those subjects on the site.
Price: Free
Grades: 5-8
Rating: 4/5
Pros: A fun visual style, solid information, and easy-to-understand info make tough questions a lot easier to ask.
Cons: The irreverent tone and frank content may challenge parents’ and teachers’ expectations on what’s appropriate in this context.
Bottom line: An appealingly down-to-earth way to help kids face tough questions about navigating the challenges of puberty.