Science Explorer

Free!

Science Explorer is a resource that contains an Experiment, Science Facts, and Formulas section. In the “Experiment” section, users first choose if they want to investigate the field of chemistry, physics, or biology by tapping it. Next, users are shown a list of experiments and users tap the one that interests them. The app will then present users with detailed information for conducting the experiment. If users select the “Science Facts” option from the main menu, the app will present them with a random science fact and an image that relates to it. After reading the fact, users can swipe sideways to read the next fact. The “Formulas” section includes common equations used in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Instructional Ideas

1. As an independent activity or in a class lab, teachers can have students complete one of the experiments listed in this app. During and after the experiment, students can use the WPS Office or Polaris app to compose a lab report about the experiment. In the report, students can write detailed information explaining how they conducted the experiment, the results they found, and if/why the results are meaningful.
2. As a research activity, teachers can present students with a random fact found in this app. Next, students will have to research two additional resources that support the fact’s validity. Students can then compose a rationale that explains the fact, and their rationale must include text-based evidence from the two resources. The fact and rationale can then posted to a class website, and fellow students can read the fact, the rationale, and then comment if the rationale is or is not valid.
3. Teachers can present students a data set or word problem. To solve it, students will have to identify the equation or formula that is needed to analyze the data set or solve the word problem.
4. As a writing activity, students can conduct an experiment that is not included in this app. Next, students can model the experiment write-ups in this app and compose one for the experiment that they conducted. Students can use the WPS Office or Polaris app for writing up their experiments, and then they can email their write-ups to their teacher for grading.
5. Teachers can allow students to randomly select a fact that is listed in this app. Next, students can research the fact and then describe an experiment that they think will analyze the fact’s validity and reliability. To conclude the activity, students can present the fact, their research about the fact, and their experiment to the class. The class, in return, can provide them feedback regarding the feasibility of their experiment and if they think the experiment is a valid method for investigating the fact.

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