Google Science Journal
Google Science Journal
What is Google Science Journal? Google Science Journal is a cloud-based platform for K-12 science education. In Google’s own words, Science Journal ‘transforms your device into a pocket-size science tool that encourages students to explore their world. Google Science Journal is a platform that provides science resources and ideas for students and teachers. Its features include; accelerometers, light meters, and more–to help ‘do the science.’ In this way, it combines ideas (e.g., for experiments) and tools (an app that uses your phone’s built-in technology) in an attempt to be a kind of one-stop-shop science platform.
Pro’s & Con’s
Pros:
- A free alternative to expensive classroom light, sound, and motion sensors.
- Interactive for all students.
- Good for the environment (saving paper).
- Leave and explore outside of the four classroom walls.
- A great tool for inquiry based learning.
- Saves time for teachers.
Cons:
- Not all students have a smartphone.
- Confusing for students who struggle with technology.
Science Journal- a Teacher’s Perspective: By using science journal in your classroom, we are inspiring youth to have fun, be creative, engage with hands-on learning and learn new modernized experiments. This app will not only save paper, but it will save time. Most importantly, science journal will enhance our existing lesson plans, add external sensors and move learning outdoors.
Enhance your existing lesson plans
Use Science Journal with activities and assignments you’ve already prepared, and check out other activities that will engage and excite your students. From oscillating chemical reactions to using brightness to estimate the distance of a star, we have an activity that will fit your curriculum.
Add external sensors
With additional external sensors you already have or plan to buy from trusted vendors like Vernier, your students can conduct even more experiments that includes building a weather station or testing body conductivity. Some you may already have, others you’ll want to add to your inventory. Popular sensors include: light, conductivity, temperature, force, gas, heart rate, respiration, radiation, pressure, magnetism, and many more.
Move learning outside
The use of mobile devices along with the types of experiments we offer encourage students to get out of their seats, and open their eyes to the world around them through the power of science.
*Information received from: https://sciencejournal.withgoogle.com/teachers/
In my opinion, I would use google science journal, however I would have to be mindful what grades I am using this with. Being able to link some of these experiments to an elementary aged curriculum can come with challenges. However, for grade, 6-8, I could see how some of these experiments could link well to the curriculum big ideas in science.
Extra Resources:Google Science Journal Videos
The following videos give you a quick look at some of the science explorations you can do with the app in areas of physics and chemistry:
A brief overview of Google Science Journal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m1h9AVXuf4 (From Rich McCue Slides)