Category Archives: science apps

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Leaf Snap

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Leafsnap is an electronic field guide being developed by researchers at Columbia University, University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. The FREE app for the iPhone/iPad utilizes visual recognition software to help identify the species of a tree by taking a picture of its leaf. In the browse mode you can find high-resolution images of the leaves, bark, fruit, seeds and petiole of 184 trees in the United States. I love the idea of this app – it turns citizens into scientists. A walk in the woods with your child can become a science lesson. There is also a place within the app to “collect” your own leaves reinforcing the idea that when visiting nature we should ” take only picture and leave only footprints.” There are also 4 games in this app which test your knowledge of leaves, flowers, and fruits.

According to the Leafsnap website, in order for the leaf to be recognized, it must be a single leaf on a white background. You also must have a working internet connection when you press “snap-it” because the picture has to be sent to a server for processing. These criteria could be little tricky if you are on a walk in the woods. I headed to my backyard with my Smartphone and a square of white paper to check it out. I was able to snap a picture and get it to send. As technology moves forward this app will continue to improve. In the meantime, it’s exciting to be part a scientific collaborative effort!

Recommended!

Leafsnap - Columbia University, University of Maryland, and Smithsonian Institution

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Guess This Animal: Teaches and Quizzes Animal Facts

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This iPhone/iPad app for preschoolers sells for $1.99. It has two modes – learn and guess. In the learn mode, Ranger Nora talks to your child to teach him/her 4 – 5 facts about 32 different animals. The guess mode is a game. A few animals appear on a background and Ranger Nora gives facts about one of them. Your child taps the animal that matches her description. If the child chooses correctly the animal responds by making its sound and a star is earned. A green star is awarded if your child choses correctly the first time. There are also yellow stars or red stars for the second or third attempt. After earning 5 green stars in a row, a sticker is rewarded.

The screen shot shows the app in the quizzing mode however the words are not really shown. The app would be better if the words were included because it is always good for kids to make a connection between the spoken and the written word. Some of the animal facts are very interesting but many of them seem to be too stereotypical. For example, the facts for rabbits are: loves to eat carrots, has long floppy ears, is soft and furry, moves very fast, is a mammal. The developers could expand their audience and improve this app by including more unique facts.

For now, if you have a preschooler who loves animals this app is worth downloading – especially on a FREE day.

Guess This Animal: Teaches and Quizzes Animal facts - Sprite Labs

Keep reading my blog for app alerts which will let readers know that the apps which I have reviewed are available for FREE  🙂

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Piece Me Dinosaurs

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This app for the iPhone/iPad sells for $.99. It was offered for FREE the other day so I checked it out because so many young children LOVE dinosaurs. It features the artwork of Ben Burch and is geared for younger children (3 to 6 year olds). Kids choose a puzzle to work by clicking on its picture. Each puzzle contain 7 – 15 pieces that lock into place as the child drags it near its appropriate spot. Upon completion of the puzzle, the dinosaur’s name appears and is pronounced. The cartoonish dino then roars and bounces around the page. Fun 🙂

Occasionally a puzzle piece locks up and won’t move but with a bit of patience it fixes itself. Recommended for all young dino lovers, especially on a FREE day!

Piece me DINOSAURS! - Fashionbuddha

Keep reading my blog for app alerts as I am planning to inform readers when apps I have reviewed are FREE  🙂