Simple App Development for Wetland Ecologists
Workshop
WHAT, WHY, HOW
WHAT
May 29, 2018: 8 am - 5 pm
Denver, Colorado
The event includes both a 1-day Android app development workshop on Tuesday and post-workshop "office hours" on Wednesday.
This full-day workshop is divided into two sessions. The morning session is an introduction to Android app development using MIT App Inventor. We will also discuss how your skills can be used to develop iOS (iPhone) apps. During this session, participants will complete basic app tutorials and build several ecology apps.
The afternoon session will focus on expanding app development skills and creating more field-focused apps. By the end of the workshop, participants will know how to build basic Android apps using MIT App Inventor, know how to build their skills using available online resources, and will have created multiple Android apps.
WHY
Mission Critical: Wetland Scientists as Innovators
App development in wetland ecology is a new and exciting area for exploration and development. Mobile devices connect us to the internet, each other, and, with the many sensors available on mobile devices, to our environment. But mobile apps to assist wetland scientists are rare. As wetland scientists, we can develop our own apps and bring this powerful technology into the lab and into the field. We can also harness the power of mobile technology in our education and outreach efforts.
HOW
Simple App Creation Using MIT App Inventor
Backed by the MIT App Inventor Team
For participants who have no programming experience, the workshop, "Simple App Development for Wetland Ecologists" will provide an in-depth introduction to Android app development utilizing MIT App Inventor (AI). App Inventor is currently testing the platform for iOS (iPhone) app development.
AI is a simple web-based visual development platform that allows users to rapidly build mobile apps. Instead of writing text based programs, users learn to assemble program blocks in a similar fashion to putting together puzzle pieces. This easy to learn approach to app creation allows users to build complex Android apps for use in research, education, and outreach in a short period of time.
WHAT DO I NEED?
MAI is supported by the MIT Center for Mobile Computing, is free, and is supported for Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux operating systems many Android devices, and is currently in testing for iPhones. Tutorials will be provided. Participants need to bring their laptop and if possible an Android mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet. Participants without Android devices can test their apps using the MAI emulator or work with a partner. We will have a limited supply of Android devices. You also need a Gmail account and the Chrome web browser is preferable.
Lunch will be provided.
ESA* Eco Hackathon 2016 Report
*Ecological Society of America
Our ESA 2016 workshop and Eco Hackathon (app development contest) participants worked hard and developed a number of unique apps for use in ecology education, outreach, and research. Please view the gallery below for screen shots and app descriptions. Download winning apps below. This is easiest to do by clicking on the link using your mobile device.
Congratulations to the winners of the ESA 101 Eco Hackathon!
Beginning Developers:
First Place: Overheard at ESA by Ava Hoffman, Beth Kuser Olsen, and Shar Siddiqui
Second Place: Talkin' Trash by Mary Keilhauer and Catherine Louie
Third Place: Mojo Invasion by Elizabeth Chi and Jeanelle Brisbane
Honorable Mention: Plot Locator Pedometer by Beth Middleton
ESA* Eco Hackathon 2015 Report
*Ecological Society of America
Our ESA 2015 workshop and Eco Hackathon (app development contest) participants worked hard and developed a number of unique apps for use in ecology education, outreach, and research. Please view the gallery below for screen shots and app descriptions. Download winning apps below. This is easiest to do by clicking on the link using your mobile device. For some apps, only the app inventor code is available as the apps have become buggy.
Congratulations to the winners of the ESA 100 Eco Hackathon!
Experienced Developers (those with some programming experience):
First Place: Mad Scientist developed by Leila Hadj-Chikh
Second Place: Tree Structure Data Recorder by Nicole Meister and Wenge Ni-Meiser
Third Place: Near Me by Hsieh Hsunyi, Ma Ziyu, and Denis Valle
AI Code
Beginning Developers:
First Place: Quadrat by Sonya Geange, Houston Harris, Emily Kalnicky, and Bryan Nguyen
Second Place: Raptor by John Herrmann
Third Place: EcoPic by Anna Carter, Elyce Gosselin, and Amanda Young
WHO WE ARE
Jere Boudell, Ph.D.
Ecologist, Technologist, Founder Expedition_Hack:
Besides basic and applied ecology research, Dr. Boudell also develops apps for use in research, education, and outreach using MIT App Inventor. She has participated in and organized multiple app development workshops and hackathons. Dr. Boudell is a founder of Expedition_Hack:
Follow @apps4ecology
George Tang
Technologist, Co-founder Cognitive Corporation, Co-founder Expedition_Hack:
George has over 15 years of professional software experience. He is a technical leader and has worked in several successful early-stage tech startups. George is an early adopter of technology and has participated in and mentored many hackathons. He co-organized and co-ran the Eco Hackathon in 2013. He is the co-founder of Expedition_Hack:.
CONNECT
Let's Create Something Awesome.
© 2016