Google Earth

Price: Free!
Grade Recommendation: All
Subject: Science
Specific Skill: Geography
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This is the app-version of the desktop version of Google Earth and it's just as stunning!

Students can use the search bar to input a street address or the name of something specific (try 'Eiffel Tower' - it's so cool!). They can then use one or two fingers to pan, tilt, zoom in/out and rotate the view.

The following layers can be added: places, businesses, Panoramio photos, Wikipedia, borders and labels, roads, and oceans.

This free app should definitely be on all iPads and iPod Touches found in today's classrooms.

Dino Digger

Price: $1.99
Grade Recommendation: 2nd - 4th
Subject: Science
Specific Skill: Paleontology and dinosaurs
Levels: 1
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

Your budding paleontologist will love this app! By swiping a finger across the screen, they can 'dig' up 6 different dinosaurs. The six dinosaurs are parasaurolophus, brachiosaurus, compsognathus, stegosaurus, triceratops, and tyrannosaurus rex.

After 'digging' up all of the bones, the app automatically builds them into a 3D skeleton. The skeleton then comes to life, turning into an animated dinosaur. The dinosaur, background graphics, and sound are stunning.

I wish the app included even more graphics and especially text about the dinosaurs. Nonetheless, it's a great interactive app to have.

A Life Cycle App

Price: 99 cents
Grade Recommendation: 2nd and up
Subject: Science
Specific Skill: Life Cycles
Levels: n/a
Players: n/a
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

The cycle of life is covered in state and national science standards at almost every grade level.

This app covers the following life cycles:
- Life Cycle of a Frog
- Phases of the Moon
- Life Cycle of a Butterfly
- Plant Life Cycle
- Pollination and Fertilization
- Rock Cycle
- Water Cycle
- Photosynthesis
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Oxygen Cycle
- Life Cycle of a Ladybug

Each cycle of life is illustrated in a kid-friendly manner. In addition, each step in each cycle is accompanied by explanatory text and a narrator is available to read the text too. Both of those options can be turned off - making the app customizable to meet your needs.

At this price point, this app should be on all iPod Touches and iPads that are used in science classrooms.

Rock Hound

Price: $1.99
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Earth Science
Specific Skill: Rocks, gems, minerals
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This is a must-have app for classrooms that study rocks, gems, and/or minerals. It's filled with many resources for rock hounds.

Sites: Choose from two options - a map view or a list of places organized by the state they're in. The sites list the exact location - longitude, latitude, city, and state. It also lists sample rocks, gems, and/or minerals that are found there and a short description of the site. A small picture is also present.

Rocks: Rocks, minerals, and gems are listed in alphabetical order beside their picture. Clicking on one brings up more pictures and a substantial description.

Favorites: Users can save favorite sites to this tab.

Tips:
General Info - Cleaning rocks, Tools for digging, Rock tumblers, and Permits and closures
Program Info - Using favorites, Adding your own sites, Adding your own rocks, Change map detail, and Toggle sounds
Submit Data - Submit your rocks and Submit your sites

Geo Walk

Price: $2.99
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Social Studies & Science
Specific Skill: Geography
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This world fact app is visually appealing and filled with many interesting facts about our world. But it is quite complex and younger students may feel as if it's overly-stimulating. With that in mind, I probably wouldn't use this app with early elementary-aged students.

Users can search the earth by places, animals, people or plants. They can also read about current events/news going on around the world. Built-in quizzes about the facts are also included.

Overall, purchase this app if money is not an issue and you're using it with older students. If not, know that better geography-based apps are out there.

Pocket Zoo HD

Price: $1.99
Grade Recommendation: PreK - 5th
Subject: Science
Specific Skill: Animals
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: iPad

This is one of my new favorite apps! Over 50 animals are featured. After clicking on one, students can read a 'Fun Fact' and a short description. They can also hear the sound the animal makes and learn its scientific name, location, diet, size, lifespan, and survival status. Short videos and even links to live web cams are also available for most of the animals.

Featured animals - African elephant, alligator, baboon, beaver, camel, cheetah, chimpanzee, dolphin, emu, gibbon, giraffe, golden eagle, gorilla, grey wolf, grizzly bear, hippopotamus, hyena, impala, Indian elephant, jaguar, killer whale, koala, leafy sea dragon, lemur, leopard, lion, lynx, manatee, meerkat, moose, orangutan, ostrich, panda, penguin, platypus, polar bear, Przewalski's horse, puma, red panda, rhino, seal, shark, snow leopard, tapir, Tasmanian devil, tiger, wallaby, walrus, warthog, white rhino, and zebra

The variety of animals, combined with the embedded video clips and links to live web cams make this app a must-have for use with elementary students.

Geared

Price: $2.99 for iPad, $.99 for iPod
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Science
Specific Skill: Physics
Levels: 200
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

This app is actually a pretty cool and interesting game. Students use one or more gears to 'power' a blue gear already on the screen. With 200 levels, it obviously gets more difficult as the game progresses. Visual-spatial learners will especially enjoy this app.

While it's a worthwhile app to have installed, skip it if the price tag seems too steep for your needs.

Britannica Kids: Solar System

Price: $4.99
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Science
Specific Skill: Solar System
Levels: N/A
Players: N/A
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

Encyclopedia Britannica has published several amazing research apps for students. The only one I have right now is the one for the Solar System because it's in the science standards for students I teach. The app provides an abundance of interesting information on the subject.

The sections are:
- Makeup of the Solar System
- The Sun
- The Planets
- The Moon
- Asteroids and Comets
- Formation of the Solar System
- Studying the Solar System
- Gravity and Space
- Exploring the Solar System

The app is more than just an electronic version of an encyclopedia, though! Several games - like Magic Square, Jigsaw Puzzles, and Memory Match - are included. The app also includes many pictures and even a few short video segments. Students can also take a solar system quiz.

If your science standards include the Solar System, I strongly suggest purchasing this app!

Other series included in the Britannica Kids collection:
- Snakes
- Dinosaurs
- Rainforests
- Volcanoes
- Ancient Egypt
- Ancient Rome