The Shape Factory
Learn Geometry & Algorithms
Free · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
iPad
Shape Factory is an educational learning environment for primary school children (ages 7–10) that promotes algorithmic thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning through an engaging factory simulation. Designed by Prof. Dr. Günter Krauthausen and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Christian Urff, the app combines educational expertise with child-friendly design.
In a virtual factory, children configure machines that transform colored geometric workpieces step by step: drawing lines, punching holes, and rotating shapes. Through visual representation and immediate feedback, children directly experience how their decisions affect the outcome.
FIVE GAME MODES FOR DIVERSE LEARNING
• Experiment – Freely explore machines and their effects through discovery learning
• Predict – Mentally predict the result of a production line, then verify
• Make – Design production lines to create ordered workpieces and find different solutions
• Optimize – Identify redundant machines and achieve the same result more efficiently
• Repair – Analyze, diagnose, and fix faulty production lines
EDUCATIONAL FEATURES
• Four difficulty levels per mode with optional expert mode
• Adaptive difficulty that automatically adjusts to the learner's level
• Warehouse for saving, comparing, and sorting production lines
• QR code exchange for sharing configurations between devices
• Add notes to saved configurations
• PDF export and photo saving of production lines
COMPREHENSIVE TEACHER SETTINGS
• Show or hide individual game modes to match the classroom situation
• Control difficulty levels and adaptive adjustment
• Individually configure counters, warehouse, and QR code features
• Enable or disable automatic task progression
• Built-in information about task formats and classroom use
LEARNING GOALS
The app fosters algorithmic thinking, spatial reasoning (mental rotation, orientation, symmetry), problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, optimization thinking, and systematic approaches. It is ideal for mathematics, science, and computer science education.
TEACHING GUIDE
A comprehensive didactic guide with lesson scenarios, research questions, differentiation tips, and methodological recommendations is available free of charge at www.urff.app/formen-fabrik.
PRIVACY & SAFETY
• No ads
• No tracking
• No in-app purchases
• No internet connection required
• No registration needed
• All data stays on the device
Shape Factory – built for children, designed for the classroom.
Ratings & Reviews
- This app has not received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.
The developer, Christian Urff, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Christian Urff
- Size
- 55.7 MB
- Category
- Education
- Compatibility
Requires iPadOS 17.0 or later.
- iPad
Requires iPadOS 17.0 or later. - Mac
Requires macOS 14.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
- iPad
- Languages
- English and German
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- Made For Ages 9–11
- Copyright
- © 2026 Christian Urff & Günter Krauthausen