Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, 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 to read the full app review.

Science Journal

What’s It Like? 

Measure sound, light, and more using the sensors in your Android phone. Google refers to the Science Journal app as a pocket science laboratory because it allows students to measure data in real time using a phone. Sensors record ambient light (lux), intensity of sound in decibels (dB), and acceleration of the phone moving in three planes (m/s2). Students can design their own experiments and use Science Journal to collect and annotate data.

Price: Free

Grades: 6-12

Rating: 4/5

Pros: A free alternative to expensive classroom light, sound, and motion sensors.

Cons: Not all students have an Android phone.

Bottom line: Science Journal does a good job recording real-time motion, sound, and light data using Android phones.

About the Author:

Stephen Noonoo

Stephen Noonoo is a former editor of eSchool News. He has served as a consultant for CUE, California’s ISTE affiliate, and as managing editor of its quarterly publication, OnCUE. He has worked as a freelance writer, an education editor for SmartBrief newsletters, and as a staff editor for a well-known publication focusing on education technology.