Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1360078
Go Learn Outside! 5 free apps that inspire students to get creative outdoors By Terry Ng G I V E S T U D E N T S — and yourself — a much- needed break from Zoom sessions. Get everyone outdoors this spring for some educational activities that can also help improve health and well- being. (Please follow COVID-19 guidelines when outdoors with students.) From stargazing to plant identification, these apps will challenge students to learn and develop hands-on skills they can use throughout life. PlantNet (IOS, ANDROID; AGE 4+) Identify over 20,000 species of plants simply by photographing them with your smartphone, including flowers, trees, grasses, conifers, ferns, vines, wild salads and cacti. Star Chart (IOS, ANDROID; AGE 4+) Using state-of-the-art GPS technology, Star Chart calculates in real time the current location of every star and planet visible from Earth and shows you precisely where they are, even in broad daylight. It's like having a virtual planetarium in your pocket! GooseChase (IOS, ANDROID; AGE 9+) Blend the fun of scavenger hunts with mobile tech for a learning experience like no other. Increase students' engagement, collaboration and communication by creating class missions and monitoring their progress from an easy-to-use dashboard. Nature Cat's Great Outdoors (IOS, ANDROID; AGE 4+) Based on the hit PBS KIDS show, this app is an on-the-go toolset that will inspire your students with over 100 daily adventure prompts, including for sunny, rainy and snowy days. Students use their smartphones to record and share their observations in fun, creative ways. BirdsEye Bird Finding Guide (IOS, ANDROID; AGE 4+) A powerful tool for students to discover the birds around them and find the ones they want to see. Stunning, detailed photographs from top birders, bird photographers and guides help identify the birds. 43 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 21 Teaching & Learning T E C H T I P S