Six Great Scientific Apps for the Science Geek in You

 Apps  

Eowyn Applegate shares six apps for the amateur and budding scientist alike, including The Night Sky and Leafsnap among others.

Remember when you were a kid and amazed by everything around you? A spiral rock, the stars above, the elephants at the zoo all inspired you? Thanks to app developers covering every branch of natural science, you can let your inner child soar as you explore and learn with some of these incredible apps.

1. Leafsnap (free)

Have you ever wondered about the beauty around you? Leafsnap will help you recognize, learn, and appreciate nature. Pick up a fallen leaf, snap a picture, and Leafsnap will identify it for you. Next time you go on a nature walk, you can leave the guidebook at home!

2. TouchSurgery (free)

Not for the squeamish, this app is a surgical simulator that allows you to learn surgeries through interactive training. Created by surgeons, it was designed so trainees could get some safe practice and build confidence. Even if you aren't planning to be a surgeon yourself, you'll be amazed by what you learn about human anatomy.

3. The Night Sky ($0.99)

THE stargazing app, The Night Sky 2 allows you to see what stars are in front of you by simply holding up your phone or tablet. Find out if those clouds will part, and check out the sunrise time on a certain day to make sure you don't miss a comet viewing.

4. Smart Microscope ($3.99)

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Ever wanted to know what a bed bug looked like up close? With Smart Microscope, you can download over 70 slides of insects, plants, medical specimens of humans, and more. You can zoom in and out of the slide and read what the experts have to say about what you're seeing.

For the serious micro-gazer, check out http://www.microscope.com/ and grab their microscope camera for your iPad. Share the single view of the microscope with everyone around you. 

5. The Incomplete Map for the Cosmic Genome ($8.99)

This is an invaluable app for anyone who wants to learn and keep up-to-date on what the great scientific minds of today are doing. Watch and listen to interviews and videos that cover all the sciences, and keep coming back for new ideas, theories, and discussions.

6. The Elements: A Visual Exploration ($13.99)

Tired of seeing the periodic table and looking away before you learn anything? You will want this app and a lot more time, because it is addictive. Diving deeper than just the table, you can see (with brilliant imagery) all the details and information of an element.

So, find what you love, let out your inner child, and be amazed by the world around you all over again. As an adult, you'll be able to appreciate it more than ever.

By Eowyn Applegates

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