Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education [1], which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Click here [2]to read the full app review.
NASA Visualization Explorer [2]
What’s It Like?
This resource could be a fun way to introduce a unit on space. Have students freely explore the app solo or in pairs for at least 30 minutes, and choose their favorite story. Come together as a class and ask students which story they chose and why.
Price: Free, paid
Grades: 3-12
Rating: 4/5
Pros: Tons of exciting, cutting-edge information for kids to explore, and the stories are supported with beautiful images and videos
Cons: Some of the content may be difficult for younger audiences to understand without extra support.
Bottom line: Weekly updates and striking visuals make it easy for kids to stay informed about NASA’s most recent discoveries.