Examples of field apps
Download to mobile device
Plot Locator
"The Plot Locator App was created to help scientists, with or without GPS services, locate their plots in the field. The app creates an in-app searchable database that stores the study area name, GPS coordinates, date, site and plot numbers, and information about the plot location such as field notes and the number of steps and distance from landmarks. An optional GPS assist allows users to locate plots using GPS and provides GPS availability and accuracy information. A digital compass and Google Maps directions options provide users with additional location aids. Field data are saved as a CSV file on the user’s mobile device and can be saved externally."
Read the article, "Plot Locator: An app for locating plots in the field" published in Applications in Plant Sciences.
Plant Data
The Plant Data App was created to assist biologists in the field with plant species data collection and storage. The app stores the study area name, GPS coordinates, date, site and plot numbers, and species name and variable data. Users enter their own variable such as "cover" or "density." Multiple plants can be associated with a single study plot. The data are saved as a CSV file on the user’s mobile device and can also be saved externally. Users can add to previously created files. The Plant Data app can search the USDA PLANTS database to aid with plant identification in the field. Please review the ReadMe file below for more information.
Download Plant DataRead the "Plant Data Collector: a field biologist's personal assistant" MIT App Inventor blog post
Species Area
The Species Area App was created to assist biologists in the field with sample size assessment. The app calculation is based on the concept of a species area curve which can be used to determine the minimum sample size needed to maximize the number of species collected while minimizing time spent in the field. Instead of creating a curve, or determining the rate of change, the app calculates the percent change in total species number surveyed as sample size increases. The user selects a percent change threshold and the minimum number of hits for this threshold. When these values have been reached, the user’s criteria and sample size are displayed.
Beginner AI2 Source Code
Intermediate/Advanced AI2 Source Code
Field Help Speed Dial
The Field Help speed dial app was created to assist biologists in the field when help is needed. The app allows the user to quickly select and call the appropriate person/organization when urgent assistance is required (e.g., ranger, preserve manager, public safety). Users input contact information during setup. A hard reset option allows users to change the contact information when needed.
Download Field Help Speed Dial
AI2 Source Code
Test Meow Animal Behavior
The retro Test Meow app was created to allow users to easily determine if their cats respond to music created for cats by David Teie and is based on the research of David Teie and Dr. Charles Snowdon. The app was developed to encourage the exploration of research results through play and as a demonstration of personal mobile computing using MIT App Inventor.
Download to phone via Google Play
Educators and those working in outreach can use MIT App Inventor to create their own apps. Using code and tutorials provided by others allows those new to MIT App Inventor to rapidly learn to build their own apps to meet their own goals and reach their own audience.
Educators can move beyond building their own apps to introducing app creation to their students as a means to engage students and increase problem solving skills. For example, biology students often see computer science as irrelevant to their major. But, some knowledge of computer science allows biologists to interact with commonly used software such a modeling and statistical analysis programs, encourages students to become creators of relevant technology, and introduces computational thinking. App creation engages students in problem based learning using their own cell phones. Learning the basics of computer science through app creation using MIT App Inventor makes these goals achievable for all students and is fun.
Arboretum Interactive Tour
The Arboretum Interactive Tour App was created to allow visitors of the Clayton State University Arboretum to learn about Piedmont plants and ecology using an interactive multimedia app and NFC tags. When the user taps an NFC tag associated with a specimen plant, a variety of options become available. The user can select to view more information about the plant via the USDA plants website, take a picture and share via social media, or take a quiz about the plant. Additionally, users can listen to audio files about Piedmont ecology and selected plant specimens.
To view a demonstration of this app, you will need to program a NFC tag to read "POAC4" and then scan the tag.
Download Arboretum Interactive Tour
Women of Science Collector Cards
The Women of Science Collector Cards app contains cards about a variety of women scientists who explored, discovered, and created. The app code is simple and easily modifiable so that you can create your own set of cards about whatever topic interests you.
Download Women of Science Cards
AI2 Source Code
Goose Density App for Campus Research
The Goose Density app was developed for use in the ecology lab classroom. Students follow a guided tutorial to build their own Goose Density app and then use the app to collect goose density and location data as part of a campus research project. Students are able to visualize the data both within the app using Google maps and externally using the iSENSE data visualization platform.
Student App Dev in Ecology
Ecology students learn basic app development and in teams create original apps for use in ecology research, outreach, and education using MIT App Inventor. At the end of the semester, teams pitch their apps to the class and a panel of judges. Student teams have developed environmental education games, statistical analysis apps, and educational apps that enable users to learn, for example, animal vocalizations and local plants. See the gallery below for examples of student work.
APP DEV IN THE CLASSROOM
Examples of apps developed by biology majors
WHO I AM
Jere A. Boudell, Ph.D.
Riparian Ecologist & Technologist
As an ecologist and technologist, I'm interested in bridging the gap between the world of technology and ecology through mobile app development. To this end I developed a variety of Android apps for use in ecology, outreach, and education, teach app development workshops, and run Eco Hackathons.
I'm the co-founder of Expedition_Hack:
We are a team of scientists, technologists, and educators whose mission is to bridge the gap between the worlds of technology and the sciences through app development workshops and hackathons.
Let's connect
Expedition_Hack:
