Best educational apps for middle schoolers
It's that time of the year again when parents, teachers and students start thinking about heading back to school. If you have an iOS device, you can supplement your child's education and stimulate them to get involved with quality educational iOS apps. Here are some of the best titles for children in the middle school-aged group:
Star Walk 2 - Guide to the Sky Day and Night [iOS Universal; $2.99]
Star Walk 2 is an excellent stargazing tool that combines astronomical data with an easy-to-use UI. Just point your iPhone or iPad at the night-time sky and be wowed by the wonders of the universe. More than just a star identification tool, Star Walk 2 also contains 3D models for Planetary nebulae, Constellations, Dwarf planets, comets, asteroids and Man-made satellites.
NOVA Elements [iPad; Free]
NOVA Elements brings the Periodic Table to life with stunning graphics and mind-blowing videos that showcase the unique properties of the elements. It's a must-have supplement for any chemistry or earth sciences curriculum.
Pixel Press Floors: Draw Your Own Video Game [iOS Universal; Free]
Pixel Press Floors makes it easy for students to create, publish and play their own games. With its "Draw-in-App" tools", Pixel Press Floors allows students to draw their games, with the app translating the drawing into code. No coding is required. Once published, a game can be shared to the "Arcade", where other users can play levels that the student has created. Though coding is not part of the package, the app teaches students the design and user interface side of app development.
Duolingo - Learn Languages for Free [iOS Universal; Free]
Duolingo is an enjoyable way to introduce your children to a foreign language. The apps uses short lessons to introduce basic words, common phrases, and grammar. Each lesson introduces its concepts with a mini-game that rewards students as they make progress Languages include Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and English.
iTooch Middle School | Math and Language Arts worksheets for 6th, 7th and 8th grade [iOS Universal; Free with in-app purchases]
iTooch is the definitive reference for middle schoolers who need extra practice in math and language arts. The app offers 10,000 exercises geared for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. It's a great way to give your kids extra practice in an easy-to-use format that doesn't require the purchase of expensive workbooks or the time-wasting practice of printing out worksheets. The app is free with each subject available for $5.99 each as an in-app purchase.
Stop Motion Studio [iOS Universal; Free with in-app purchases]
Make creating fun with Stop Motion Studio, one of the top apps for stop motion moviemaking. The app is easy for new users to get started with stop motion moviemaking, yet is robust enough to grow with your children as they improve with their recording and scene-setting techniques. The app is free, but includes in-app purchases for extras like green screen support, remote camera, image import and more.
