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ParkApps News

New app puts key to green spaces in your pocket

Douglas J. Guth

A new learning app designed by three local nature-loving entities is offering a deeper perspective on Northeast Ohio's robust parks systems. 


Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Kent State and Cleveland Metroparks launch learning app

Kent State University

Educators, scientists and technologists from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Kent State University and Cleveland Metroparks have partnered to develop a new learning app that is now live and freely available on iTunes. The app, called ParkApps, features a number of different resources aimed at educating park visitors as they run, hike and bike through the parks. The project was funded by the National Science Foundation's Advancing Informal STEM Learning initiative.


New app helps visitors explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland Metroparks

Crain's Cleveland Business

A new app developed by Kent State University in collaboration with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland Metroparks aims to make it easier for visitors to run, hike and bike through the parks this summer.


Kent State, Cuyahoga Valley, Cleveland Metroparks develop new science-based park app

Beacon Journal staff report

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland Metroparks have a new science-learning app — thanks to Kent State University.


CVNP Partners with Kent State University and Cleveland Metroparks to Launch Science Learning App

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The free app is now available in iTunes; Android version to follow

Educators, scientists, and technologists from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Kent State University and Cleveland Metroparks have partnered to develop a new learning app that is now live and freely available on iTunes. The app, called ParkApps, features a number of different resources aimed at educating park visitors as they run, hike and bike through the parks. 


New App Helps Parkgoers Interact With Northeast Ohio Trails

Jeff St Clair

A new  app is launching Wednesday that provides an interactive guide for visitors to Northeast Ohio’s parks. 


New app will educate, promote citizen science at Cuyahoga National Park

The Wilderness Society

A free mobile app is being developed for visitors to Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The app will include multiple interactive features that will enable visitors to learn more about the parks' history, geology and ecology. Mobile devices will be available for visitors who do not have one so they can use the app which will utilize devices' built-in GPS.


Third-party apps to proliferate inside national parks

Whitney Blair Wyckoff, fedscoop

When the Cuyahoga app launches, it will be one of hundreds of third-party apps of varying complexity, quality and functionality sprouting up to enhance the experience of those who traverse the national parks system. Tim Cash, the Park Service's digital strategy chief, said engaging parks visitors on their smartphones and tablets is critical: Just shy of 50 percent of those who drop by NPS.gov do so on their mobile devices.


Kent State team to develop science-based mobile app for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Bob Downing, Akron Beacon Journal

A team of Kent State University researchers is developing a new mobile device app to increase science learning among visitors to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The project, directed by Richard E. Ferdig, a professor in the Research Center for Education Technology, is being funded by a $952,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.


Kent State Researchers to Develop Mobile App for Cuyahoga National Park

Hudson Hub Times

A $952,000 National Science Foundation grant to researchers at Kent State University will result in a mobile device application to help visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park learn more about the park's history and ecology and become "citizen scientists" by sharing their findings with others.


New app is more than just a park guide

Joanna Richards

Rick Ferdig is a fan of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He was visiting one day with his kids, when one of those great park moments happened. "In flew this amazing owl. And of course my kids asked, ‘Well, what kind of owl was that? Why is it here? Is it known to be in this part of the park?'"

Ferdig couldn’t answer their questions. But maybe next time he’ll be able to. Ferdig’s a professor in the college of education at Kent State University, and he’s leading a team developing an app he thinks of as a ‘virtual park ranger.’


Cuyahoga Valley National Park visitors will soon have a "virtual park ranger" in their smartphones

Karen Farkas, Cleveland.com

KENT, Ohio - Visitors to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will soon have a "virtual park ranger" in their smartphone.

And they can be "citizen scientists."

Kent State University researchers have received a $952,000 National Science Foundation grant to create a free mobile app with multiple interactive features, including the ability to learn more about the history, habitats, geology and scientific features of the park.


Get outside but dont forget to bring your phone

Scott Suttell

Researchers from Kent State University received a National Science Foundation grant to develop technology that will help visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park get more out of their visits. The $952,000 grant will be used to create a mobile app designed to highlight the park’s history and ecology and to turn guests into “citizen scientists” by sharing their findings with others. The app will work on Apple and Android products.


Kent State researchers to develop mobile app for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

EurekAlert!, ECN Magazine

A $952,000 National Science Foundation grant to researchers at Kent State University will result in a mobile device application to help visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park learn more about the park's history and ecology and become "citizen scientists" by sharing their findings with others.


Researchers Develop Mobile App for National Park

Division of Research and Sponsored Programs, Kent State University

A $952,000 National Science Foundation grant to researchers at Kent State University will result in a mobile device application to help visitors to Cuyahoga Valley National Park learn more about the park’s history and ecology and become “citizen scientists” by sharing their findings with others.