Boston, MA, USA (May 16, 2012) /Marketwire/ — SparkBridge Interactive, a mobile app publisher founded by the Vancouver Aquarium and FableVision Studios, today officially launched its Snappz mobile app for informal learning environments. SparkBridge Interactive is the first co-op mobile app consortium that joins together informal learning environments, their visitors and innovative games.
SparkBridge’s Snappz app for iOS enhances family visits to their favorite aquariums, zoos, and museums, by allowing them to use their mobile device to engage and interact with existing physical exhibits. The app encourages users to play an interactive Treasure Hunt game on their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch where they can find “Snappz Tags” placed throughout the informal learning site, play challenges, discover exhibits, answer questions, learn new facts, and earn special rewards.
The locations and challenges in Snappz are designed in close collaboration with each location’s content experts. The app, which is customizable for each location, maximizes the educational experience of that particular zoo, aquarium or museum, draws attention to important exhibits on display, and helps users get the most out of their visit. Snappz can be regularly updated to feature different content, highlight new exhibits and promote top of mind issues in conservation.
SparkBridge offers Snappz as a free turnkey solution to leading informal learning sites and can be integrated into new locations quickly and with minimal installation effort. In addition, a percentage of all revenue generated by the app at a location is shared with that informal learning site.
Snappz is now live and playable at the Vancouver Aquarium, which also co-founded SparkBridge Interactive. Vancouver Aquarium is the 5th largest aquarium in North America with 35 million visitors since its opening in 1956, and is part of worldwide network of conservation and marine science institutions.
Snappz was recently pilot tested at the Vancouver Aquarium and feedback from players has been extremely positive. Results from an onsite player survey found:
- 85% of respondents indicated the Snappz app enhanced their experience
- 94% of respondents said they would play again
- Players rated Snappz 4.3 out of 5 or greater for overall enjoyment, fun factor, educational value, and ease of use
“We were thrilled with the success of the Snappz pilot launch at our aquarium and the positive feedback from our visitors and staff,” said Dr. John Nightingale, Vancouver Aquarium president and CEO. “Snappz uses interactive technology to promote a deeper connection between our visitors and our aquatic life, in a way that is fun and intuitive for today’s mobile-savvy families. We are excited to see Snappz adopted at other facilities over the coming months, so that they too can more deeply connect their visitors with their mission.”
“We are very pleased by the reception Snappz has received from our players and partners. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our app provide a new sense of accomplishment to a child exploring the Aquarium or hear a parent describe how our game helped their kids learn more during their visit,” said Scott Triola, CEO of SparkBridge Interactive. “At SparkBridge, we are focused on working in close collaboration with our partners to create customized apps that highlight the best of each location and give visitors new ways to experience incredible exhibits and collections. The tool we use is mobile technology, but our ultimate goal is to inspire exploration, discovery and learning in these wonderful physical environments.”
To learn more about SparkBridge Interactive, visit http://www.sparkbridge.com, read about Snappz or contact [email protected].
For the press: to visit the media center to download screenshots of Snappz, please visit http://www.sparkbridge.com/news.php.
SparkBridge Interactive
Based in Boston, MA, SparkBridge Interactive is the first co-op mobile app consortium that joins together informal learning environments, their visitors and innovative games. Its first customizable app, Snappz, enhances the visitor experience by providing a fun and educational interactive treasure hunt that highlights the best features of each informal learning environment. For more information visit www.SparkBridge.com.
Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. Learn more at www.vanaqua.org.
FableVision Studios
Founded in 1996 by New York Times best-selling Author/Illustrator and educational technology leader Peter H. Reynolds (The Dot, Ish, I’m Here, The North Star, Judy Moody), FableVision Studios is dedicated to helping all learners reach their full potential and to telling “stories that matter, stories that move.” FableVision produces award-winning websites, games and activities, animated films, interactive graphic novels, museum kiosks, digital storybooks, desktop applications, and iPhone & mobile tablet apps for major publishers, broadcasters, museums, research groups, foundations, and educational institutions. www.fablevision.com. Reynolds was born with his twin brother Paul Reynolds, FableVision’s CEO, in Toronto, Canada.
