Parents need to know that GLOBE Observer is an app that allows kids to make and share observations of clouds and mosquito habitats. Special natural occurrences also appear in the app for data collection, like the 2017 eclipse. Observations are stored on the device and can be shared using social media or by sending them directly to the NASA database. Note that email address must be provided to register, and access to your location is required. Read the app’s privacy policy to find out about the types of information collected and shared.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Kids start with GLOBE Observer by creating an account with an email address. The two options for gathering data are cloud observations and mapping mosquito habitats unless there’s a special natural event included, like an eclipse. Options step users through the process of describing the environment, taking photos, and sharing observations. There are also links to view upcoming satellite flyovers, global community data, NASA data, and a cloud reference guide.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

The idea of sharing scientific data with a global community centered around NASA is awesome, but primarily having only two options for environmental observations is limiting. Observing clouds and mosquito habitats using GLOBE Observer are interesting ways to study the environment, but adding more options would make the app much more appealing. Thankfully, special events like eclipses are timely add-ons, so kids can use their excitement to fuel their observations. There are a lot of excellent support tools for users, which is typical of NASA apps. Users can visit the GLOBE Observer website and access links to data, training, a summary of the app, and much more. Most importantly, it includes kids in a real-life scientific community which makes data collection much less abstract and more exciting.

RATING AND CONTENT

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

Educational value: 4 out of 5

Ease of play: 3 out of 5

Violence: 0 out of 5

Sex: 0 out of 5

Language: 0 out of 5

Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5

Consumerism: 0 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)

APP DETAILS

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android

Price: Free

Release date: March 1, 2017

Category: Education

Size: 15.20 MB

Publisher: NASA

Minimum software requirements: iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.0 and up

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