HOUGHTON, MI (AP)-- Faculty and students at Michigan Technological University are developing smartphone applications to bridge the gap between scientists and the public.
The Houghton school says the project is called Cyber Citizens and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Michigan Tech says the goal "is building smartphone applications and websites to help citizens and scientists acquire environmental information."
Professors Alex Mayer and Robert Pastel are heading the project that involves graduate students and undergraduates as well.
Cyber Citizens has developed four apps so far and plans to add more each semester.
Among them is Beach Health Monitor, which helps assess whether a beach is safe for swimming. Another is Mushroom Mapper, which helps locate and describe the habitats of different species.
