Google announced a new Android app dedicated to conducting scientific research. It is being marketed as a tool for conducting science with your phone. Using an Android phone’s internal sensors, and external add-ons, you’ll be able to conduct experiments on the world around you.
With the app you can make notations on each of your scientific tests; the app is also capable of making predictions and collecting your data into multiple trials.
Right now, the amount of external devices compatible with the app is limited. Currently you can connect either a measuring device, a lightweight scale, and sound metres to collect information about your surroundings.
Google says it will work with individual device makers within the science community to improve the app and the amount of devices that can be connected to it. Google’s ultimate goal with the app is to have more people thinking like a scientist:
“Since we know that hands-on projects increase engagement, cultivate curiosity and spark a lifelong interest in learning, we also teamed up with the Exploratorium – a leader in science education – to develop and assemble creative hands-on learning activity kits to accompany the Science Journal app.”
Google intends to open source the app later this summer to get more hardware vendors, science educators, and the open source community on board with improving Science Journal.
The app is available as of today from the Google Play Store.