THE GOLDEN SPIKE: Building America's First Transcontinental Railroad
Copyright (c) 1987 National Geographic Society

The GOLDEN SPIKE is a multimedia courseware adventure in history and geography for students in grades five through nine. Using the construction of the first transcontinental railroad as its theme, the GOLDEN SPIKE contains a wealth of historical and geographical information. It develops skills in map reading and research, creates an awareness of the complexities involved in designing and executing a mammoth construction project, and improves proficiency in problem solving. The emphasis throughout is on student involvement-students use information that they have been given to make decisions as they build their railroads.
Two interactive simulation games form the core of the kit. The simulations can be played by individuals or by small groups. The program on Disk 1, Sacramento to Promontory, re-creates the building of the western section of the transcontinental railroad. The program on Disk 2, Omaha to Promontory, re-creates the building of the eastern portion of the railroad. In each simulation, students construct their own railroads, following either the historical route or a route of their
own choosing.

The archive contains the following elements:
- Audio
	Two mono audio files of the two-sided audio tape
- Disks
	Protected
		A copy of the non-bootable copy protected double-sided disks of the two simulations
	Unprotected
		A copy of the bootable unprotected double-sided disks of the two simulations
- Manual
	The Map, Trains and People booklet in color,
	The complete manual
	The "What's in this kit" sheet
- Photos
	Color pictures of the two-sided audio tape
	Color picture of the box
	Color pictures of the double-sided disks of the two simulations

The complete archive weighs 37 MiB and should be put under the /images/educational folder of Asimov.

LoGo
7/2011