Science can be fun and engaging for kids!

Educators at the University of Michigan, in conjunction with the Detroit Public School, system have developed BioKIDS: Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species. BioKIDS is a unique science education program that teaches students to be better observers and places emphasis on critical thinking skills through the study of biodiversity.

The BioKIDS app was inspired by CyberTracker, which was developed in South Africa as a conservation tool for native trackers. Our customized sequence allows students to display collection data as both icons and text, making it ideal for elementary age students. Using the BioKIDS application for iOS devices enables students to record and organize observations of living things in schoolyards or other settings, upload the data to a central server, and then get reports on the combined data for further analysis as part of the curriculum. This data collection is a core component of the BioKIDS science curriculum, and facilitates exploration of local biodiversity using advanced technologies as tools for research and learning. Use of the BioKIDS app as part of a science curriculum can help students become sophisticated thinkers and develop complex reasoning skills.