Science Journal App

I found out that Google's Science Journal app for Android phones can now be used with Vernier sensors and since I have a closet-full of Vernier sensors, I thought I'd try it out. Science Journal was originally created so that you could graph data from the sensors built into your Android phone (sound, light, motion, and barometer). The app is very easy to use, but limited in its analysis capabilities. What is nice, however, is that Google is encouraging 3rd-party vendors (like Vernier, Sparkfun, Jameco, and Pocketlabs) to develop compatible products and kits that capitalize on the features of Science Journal.

I tested Science Journal with Vernier's Go Wireless Temperature sensor. This waterproof Bluetooth device has a temperature range of -40 to 125°C (-40 to 257°F) with an accuracy of half a degree. The battery charge lasts about 2 hours, but you can easily recharge it with the same USB charger you use to charge your phone. You must have Vernier's Graphical Analysis app installed on your phone in order for their sensors to communicate with Science Journal, but once you do the initial setup, the Vernier sensor icon shows up right next to the Android sensor icons. Truthfully, having used both apps for data collection, there are times I would use Graphical Analysis over Science Journal, like when I need to do curve fitting or statistical analysis beyond the basic min/max/mean. But Science Journal is a simple way to couple my closet-full of Vernier sensors with the sensors in my phone.