This new DVD allows students the opportunity to discover a unique microscopic world populated by fantastic organisms that are explained by the crew members of the microsubmersible Cyclops.†& The quality of the materials chosen for this new DVD is impressive; both the photography and the graphics employed are exceptional and will hold student interest for long periods.†& Teachers will find information (in the PDF teaching guides sic) that makes this curriculum more relevant to students and allows the teacher to meet as many expectations as possible. If you are considering teaching a unit in microbiology or ecology in the near future, this is definitely one DVD that merits your consideration? "Recommended" Science Books and Films Sept/Oct 2004

This animated DVD is an interactive program designed to promote inquiry within the classroom and builds on the Eye of the Cyclops video series?& The action-based animation will appeal to a young audience and is an innovative teaching tool? "Recommended" Educational Media Reviews Online November 19, 2004

Cyclops is an imaginary exploration vessel one millimeter long that can navigate the microscopic realm. The tiny adventuring and often risk-taking "scientists," two mail and two female, who are actually animated video game style figures, appear in three vehicles which submerge and dive, fly, and move on land. They observe, ask questions, and narrate as they discover the nature of life among live-action creatures and their environments. The DVD offers scientific explorations in pond, stream, forest, and backyard biomes. Each biome has three to four sub-sections which feature excellent live cinematography under the animated figures and vehicles. The pond segment covers "open "Water," "Weedy Shallows," and "Bottom Ooze," and examines plankton, ciliates, flagellates, decomposer bacteria and more. The stream portion includes "Down the Rapids," surveying insect larvae, and "Over the Falls" (larvae of Blackflies, the Netveined Midge, and the Water Penny). The forest segment includes "Living Humous," which examines the living component of soil, and "Rotting Log," where termites and other microorganisms help dead wood return to the soil. The backyard segment deals with the ecosystem of the garden in "Plant Minders" and the physiology of the earthworm in "Earth Movers." All segments have an "Exploration Journal" in slide format. Several of these slides have navigation errors when advancing or returning to the main menu. The rotting log segment is out of order on the menu. Long text slides are best read on a computer screen. A glossary, activities, and additional visual material should be retrieved from the essential teaching guides downloadable in PDF format. On occasion, clarity is sacrificed to advance the adventure story format. The DVD could be used in the classroom after the topic is introduced by an instructor. Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT School Library Journal October 2004

Many of the topics that teachers are expected to teach to their students are not at all exciting; when faced with topics such as ecology, biodiversity, and evolution, intermediate-level teachers are often at a loss as to how to present the material. This new DVD allows students the opportunity to discover a unique microscopic world populated by fantastic organisms that are explained by the crew members of the microsubmersible Cyclops. Previously, I reviewed the video version of this series for Science Books and Films, and I readily admit that this DVD version is much more student friendly and that the habitats explored by the research vessel here are much more interesting than those in the original version. The four major habitats explored in this new version are the pond, the stream, the forest, and the backyard. Each habitat is further subdivided to encompass the varieties of habitats it contains. The most interesting aspects of each of these habitats is then examined in detail in the “Exploration Journal," a feature that offers a further explanation of the materials presented in the animated sequences and could easily be adapted to act as a stand-alone version if the teacher so determined. The "Backyard Exploration Journal" even provides a graphic dissection of common organisms unique to that habitat. The quality of the materials chosen for this new DVD is impressive; both the photography and the graphics employed are excellent and will hold student interest for long periods. There is also a Cyclops Technical Manual that explains the unique features of the various research vehicles that are employed in the DVD. Students will find this information relevant if the scale of such vehicles is an important aspect of the teacher's presentation. A unique activity might be for students to design their own research vessels that would be appropriate for whatever habitat they choose. A Learning Guide for Teachers in PDF format is contained in the CD version, but can be accessed only from computers that have DVD-ROM drives. This guide is extremely valuable because of the possible avenues it opens for teachers; the wealth of information that the guide contains makes accessing it well worth the effort. Teachers will find information that makes this curriculum more relevant to students and allows the teacher to meet as many expectations as possible. If you are considering teaching a unit in microbiology or ecology in the near future, this is definitely one DVD that merits your consideration. Elementary, Grades 5 & 6, Junior High, + Recommended AAAS Science Books & Films September/October 2004

The Eye of the Cyclops is a stimulating ecology program for middle school students. The program is based on the adventures of an inquisitive and fearless crew aboard a miniaturized submersible. There is also a plane that views the adventures from a different perspective. The series contains 12 fifteen-minute modules. The crew explores four major areas: ponds, streams, backyards, and forests. In the pond, the crew investigates plankton, decomposers, food chains, protozoans, and algae in the pond. From there, the crew goes on to the stream, where it sees predators of the shallow water and experiences white water adventures, and then to a forest microcosm for a look at diversity in the backyard. Along the way they have many exhilarating adventures and have to learn about processes and organisms to extricate themselves from life threatening situations. Each lesson contains a detailed lesson guide that is downloadable in PDF format. This includes a Teacher's Guide that correlates to the National Science Education Standards, a vocabulary guide, a brief description of each segment, and Student Research Problems. Inquiry lessons flow from each program and the study materials provided. These can be used for an entire class, for individuals, or for small groups. The guides have nice illustrations and interesting student research problems. Each lesson can be tailored to specific groups by altering the questions and research problems. There are many open-ended questions that can be discussed briefly or in greater depth, depending on the ability and interests of the students. The adventure format holds student attention and is especially interesting to boys. There is enough adventure to the attention, but not so much that it interferes with the content. The fifteen-minute time frame is well-suited to middle school students. Questions asked by various crewmembers may or may not be answered in the program. These stimulate more questions from the students and provide for interesting class discussions. Students will be fascinated by the microscopic photography and the way the explorer vehicles work. This program provides an exciting way to introduce students to the principles of biology and ecology. The fast pace and varied activities make it a valuable addition to any middle school life science class. Betty Ann Wonder, The Hockaday School, Dallas, TX 75229 The American Biology Teacher, Volume 67, No. 2, February 2005