Science Apps to Make You a Citizen Scientist

Your phone can do more than avoid calls from telemarketers and browse Twitter. With some great science apps, and a few spare minutes, you can use it to help humanity. No, really.

Have you ever put your phone down after an hour of Candy Crush and thought, I should be doing something more constructive with my time. We are all guilty of playing a bit too much, or not taking advantage of all the amazing things we can do with our phones. It always seems to feel like we are just scrolling through the same articles and pictures, just killing time on the commute or during commercial breaks. If only there was an easy way to turn those wasted minutes into something useful. That’s where these apps come in. Here are six science apps that will turn you into the savior of humanity.

6 Science Apps That Will Help You Change the World

Quantum Moves

This puzzle game pits you against real-world challenges in quantum computing research, harnessing and moving atoms along a laser array, just like inside the brains of a quantum computer. This app harnesses the brilliant minds of its players by crowdsourcing their solutions for data analysis. Do you think you can help solve the quantum conundrums and make quantum computation a reality?

It’s available for Android and iOS.

Science Journal

Google’s new tool turns your phone into a science lab, allowing you to record and read data from its in-built sensors. From temperature, angle and accelerometer data, to project management, this app will let you performs and record your findings. What better way to make you into a scientist than by engaging in science.

This one is available for Android only.

Project Noah

Ever wanted to learn more about the world around you, and the plants and animals in it? Project Noah is a mobile app that allows citizen scientists to document the species of life around them, spot and track wildlife in their surroundings, and earn badges for their scientific efforts.

Project Noah is available for Android and iOS.

MyShake / MyQuake

Earthquakes have a dramatic impact on those who live along the Ring of Fire. They can cause massive disruption and damage to infrastructure for miles away, and tracking and anticipating these quakes is important for us all. MyShake, or MyQuake on iOS, turns your phone into a networked seismograph, collecting and sending data on quakes and shocks to those who can map and predict potential threats.

MyShake is available for Android.

MyQuake is similar, but for iOS.

BOINC

Put that fancy new CPU to good use and let your phone analyze scientific research. BOINC is a great app that allows you to help a cause by harnessing your phones processing power to find useful data. Just select the field of research you want to further and BOINC will transmit and process data for ongoing research projects while your phone charges. Not a bad way to help the world while you sleep.

This app is available for Android only.

Reverse the Odds

This is another puzzle game that can help others through crowdsourcing. Reverse the Odds will teach you how to identify cancer cells, no medical degree required. Once you’ve got the hang of it, the app will give you real-world slides to search for signs of cancer. I cannot think of a better way to spend your spare time than by giving someone a little extra.