Believe it or not, summer brain drain is a real phenomenon. Bill Nye the
Science Guy even said so recently on Kids Place Live (yes, the de facto
radio station on in my car) and he mentioned that math and science are
the first subjects to go.
While I want my kids’ summers to be footloose and fancy free, with the question what flavor of popsicle to get from the ice cream truck to be the hardest decision of each day–I still want to make sure that everything they’ve learned in school this year doesn’t drain out.
And while I’m not going to start reading them Carl Sagan books at bedtime, throwing in a little math and science here and there certainly won’t hurt.
Here are a few great educational apps for this exact purpose. -Jeana
Rocket Math app (above)
With
a mix of physics, building, aerospace and math, kids will add,
subtract, multiply and divide their way to the stars. The more math they
do, the cooler their rocket ship can be. Rocket Math
offers varying levels for kids of all ages (assuming they know basic
math) and they can use their math prowess to “buy” more bling for their
rockets. (iTunes, $0.99)
a mix of physics, building, aerospace and math, kids will add,
subtract, multiply and divide their way to the stars. The more math they
do, the cooler their rocket ship can be. Rocket Math
offers varying levels for kids of all ages (assuming they know basic
math) and they can use their math prowess to “buy” more bling for their
rockets. (iTunes, $0.99)
The joy of yelling BINGO! is even better when you’ve used
your brain to get the win. Rather than having to identify simple
letters, this Math Bingo
app asks equations and it’s the answers that are represented on the
board. Kids will delight in yelling out BINGO! because they will have
worked hard to get it. (iTunes, $0.99)
your brain to get the win. Rather than having to identify simple
letters, this Math Bingo
app asks equations and it’s the answers that are represented on the
board. Kids will delight in yelling out BINGO! because they will have
worked hard to get it. (iTunes, $0.99)
More than just a game or an e-book, Bobo Explores Light
is a more interactive science experiment that teaches kids about 21
topics including photosynthesis, refraction and space flight. The
interface and graphics are just so darn cool and engaging. While it is
on the pricier side at $4.99, just think of it as a small price to pay
for having an in-house expert on bioluminescence. (iTunes, $4.99)
is a more interactive science experiment that teaches kids about 21
topics including photosynthesis, refraction and space flight. The
interface and graphics are just so darn cool and engaging. While it is
on the pricier side at $4.99, just think of it as a small price to pay
for having an in-house expert on bioluminescence. (iTunes, $4.99)
The
images in this app come from National Science Foundation-funded
institutions from all over the world. Not only can kids explore images
and topics like wavelengths, fibers, even the architecture of gecko feet
(!), they can watch streaming video on the coolest scientific
discoveries. (iTunes, free)
images in this app come from National Science Foundation-funded
institutions from all over the world. Not only can kids explore images
and topics like wavelengths, fibers, even the architecture of gecko feet
(!), they can watch streaming video on the coolest scientific
discoveries. (iTunes, free)
If you’re not an iOS user, you can also check out the Science 360 podcast app for Android which features radio shows that older kids might like, or visit the Science 360 website for lots of great videos.
What kid doesn’t like to get their hands messy with science experiments in the kitchen? This app isn’t the slickest looking of all, but it does provide recipes and instructions for fun at-home experiments like Tie Dye Milk, Magic Potion and Green Slime. What makes it convenient for parents is you can search through the app’s list of everyday items that you’d find in your pantry to see what you can concoct. Alien Monster Eggs, anyone? (iTunes, $4.99)
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