Science Apps

One of our assignments during this semester was to find 5 science apps that would be appropriate to use in a classroom. I enjoyed this assignment because I think apps are a fun way for kids to extend their understanding on a certain topic. Here are the ones I found.

Science Apps

http://www.gosoftworks.com/GoSkyWatch/GoSkyWatch.html

GoSkyWatch

This app helps you explore space from you seat with accurate orientation held at any angle to look what space items are there. This is a really neat app because it gives you a "telescope" into space. Along with showing what space holds at any angle, this app gives you tons of information about the things in space such as constellations, planets, stars, etc. This app would be a great resource for a space unit in school and it's under the standard: (ALEX) Science: Grade 4:)

10.) Describe components of our solar system.

•  Defining comets, asteroids, and meteors

http://hudsonalpha.org/education/digitaleducation/icell

iCell

This app focuses on studying different cells through 3d structures. Since cells are unable to be dissected in a classroom, this app offers students an accurate portrayal of what a cell is composed of. This app would be great as a resource for a group project or class lesson. A standard that would go with this is (ALEX) Science: Grade 4:)

6.) Classify animals as vertebrates or invertebrates and as endotherms or ectotherms.

•  Describing the organization of cells into tissues, organs, and organ system

http://www.inaturalist.org/

iNaturalist

This app is probably the neatest one out of all the apps I discovered. It could kind of be described as a "social media for exploring science." This app allows users to post their scientific observations and finds (animals, bug, plants, ets.) online for every other user to see. There is a map given so users can navigate to any particular place to see what scientific observations are being made there. This would be a perfect unit-long project that students can participate in. The standard that could go along with this is (ALEX) Science: Grade 5:)

9.) Describe the relationship of populations within a habitat to various communities and ecosystems.

http://tinybop.com/products

Tinybop

I love this app! This app definitely makes exploring the human body fun and exciting. The users have the freedom to explore any part of the body, receiving lots of information and viewing all of the systems of the body. This app would be very helpful in a unit about the body (possibly used in a center.) The standard that could go along with this is (ALEX) Science: Grade 3:)

6.) Identify structures and functions of the muscular and skeletal systems of the human body.

http://gamecollage.com/apps/bobo-explores-light/

BoBo Explores Light

This app is so fun! There are tons of different types of light to explore, what light can do and how light is used. This ap would be an exciting way to open or close a lesson on a particular type of light. It could be an ongoing opener r closer for science lessons through the year. The standard that could go along with this is (ALEX) Science: Grade 4:)

3.) Recognize how light interacts with transparent, translucent, and opaque materials.