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NSF Science – a Great Free Science App

Science360

NSF Science (used to be Science 360) is a FREE, high-quality science app published by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It has a wealth of information about science around us.  Users can download and share spectacular science images and videos from NSF and institutions funded by NSF.  All the contents are updated weekly, so you always get the most recent development of science and technology.

When you open the app, you get this scrollable 360 degree sphere that is made of thumbnails of various science photos and videos. You tap on any of the thumbnails to bring up the full-size photo/video and a small article explaining what the photo/video is about.  There are hundreds of different photos/videos, and they are updated weekly.

The topics cover a wide range of science areas.  Some example topics I found: “Making waves, Saving lives”, “Creeping, Crawling Caterpillars”, “Chance discoveries: Cellophane”, “Hockey Geometry – Science of NHL Hockey”, profile of scientists, such as Biogeoscientist, Biophysical chemist, and Marine Biologist.Science360 - a free science app

If you tap the app with two fingers, you will bring up “tags”, “news”, “saved”.  When you tap “tags”, you open up a list of subjects and you can pick any subjects interest you.  The “news” section is the science news that is updated weekly.  The “saved” are the photos/videos you liked.

iGameMom Comments:

This is a great app that brings a broad range of current science right at your fingertip.  The interface design is intuitive and encourages curiosity and exploration.  Kids will interact with the brightest mind and interesting work in science, most can be related to their daily life.  The vocabulary is quite “scientific” and high level, kids younger than 9 may have difficulty to understand.

You can share photos or videos you like on Facebook or Twitter, only if you connect the app to a Facebook or Twitter account.  If you are concerned about this, make sure don’t make the connection.

The app will function via wifi or 3G.  If you are at a place without wifi, it will use 3G, which means will use your data plan.  If you know you are reaching your data limit, you want to stop the app till you find wifi.

It is only available for iPAD.  It is FREE at App Store.

If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.
Science360

More Science Resources for Kids:

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Fun Geography Game – Stack the States

Free Brain Game – Clockwork Brain

Solar Walk – 3D Solar System Model

Monster Physics Makes Learning Fun

{ 24 comments… add one }
  • ted

    I recommend this Timeline Eons app, a graphic representation of the entire natural and human history:

    http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/timeline-eons/id433352152?mt=8&ls=1

    • Thanks for recommending the app. It looks interesting. I have to take closer look …

  • Leanne

    It’s moment slike these I wish I had an Ipad…hubby has a nexus…I’m thinking about an ipad but I just got a new laptop….this sounds fabulous

  • Mary

    Thank you! Great app!

  • Mary

    Thank you! Great app!

  • Shereena

    Hey, what a great post. I saw this app a while back, but did not realize it contained such great photos. Thanks for the review.

    • iGameMom

      With so many apps out there, it is hard to know what the apps are about before you actually can spend sometime on them. But who has all the time to check them out! Hope the info here can help the busy parents make some smart choices on educational app for their kids.

  • ravyn

    yes, great info. Thanks! Will check it out asap.

    • iGameMom

      it is all bite-size science – easy to digest and obsorb. Good app to have for some idle summer time.

  • Laura

    Thanks so much for this. I can’t wait to check it out!

    • iGameMom

      It is a very neat educational app. Hope you will like it.

  • John

    Thanks for stopping by, subbed you. 🙂

  • Cindy Pang

    Thanks!

  • memphisrain1

    Excellent piece! My son’s will love this app!

  • Oster's Mom

    Thank you, iGameMom!

  • Hailey

    Downloaded this for my daughter, thanks for the suggestion!

    • iGameMom

      Thanks! Will you let me know how you like it?

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