NASA – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

NASA

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2011

78%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

Authentic satellite data for future climate scientists and kids who think spreadsheets are a personality trait.

NASA

app

Everyone, 2011

78%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

Authentic satellite data for future climate scientists and kids who think spreadsheets are a personality trait.

Jump to

Also rated on

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

NASA's data tools are the real deal, but let’s be honest: they have the aesthetic appeal of a tax return. This isn't something your kid is going to boot up for fun on a Saturday morning. It is, however, an incredible resource for school projects or for the kid who is genuinely obsessed with meteorology and climate.

Because the app and web interface are quite dated (we're talking 2011-era design), it gets a significant 'usability penalty.' It’s powerful, but it’s dry. Use it as a deep-dive tool for specific questions about the planet, not as a casual 'educational game' to keep them busy.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8 to 18. Younger kids (grades 3-5) can handle the 'NASA Kids' Club' activities, but the 'My NASA Data' explorer is really for the middle and high school crowd who can handle a graph without melting down.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's NASA—the tone is purely educational, scientific, and focused on the wonder of Earth and space. There's no junk, no snark, and no hidden agendas. It's about as clean as it gets.

Imaginative

While exploring satellite data is cool, the interface is mostly graphs, maps, and spreadsheets. It’s about interpreting reality rather than creative building or narrative play.

Safe

Zero ads, zero in-app purchases, and no social chat features. It’s a government-run educational resource that treats your kid like a junior scientist, not a product.

Enriching

This is high-octane data literacy. It uses real satellite feeds to teach Earth science. It’s not 'edutainment' fluff; it's actual scientific inquiry that aligns with high-level standards.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Real-world data gives kids access to the same satellite feeds actual NASA scientists use to track climate and weather.
Data literacy is the hidden superpower here; kids learn to read complex maps and graphs instead of just clicking buttons.
Zero distractions means no ads, no pop-ups, and no 'buy more gems' nonsense to pull them away from the science.
Curated datasets make it possible for a middle-schooler to actually understand things like biosphere changes or volcanic activity.

⚠

What to Watch For

The interface is decidedly clunky and looks like it hasn't been updated since 2011—expect a steep learning curve.
It is not a game; if your kid expects an interactive space-flight simulator, they'll be bored in thirty seconds.
Requires heavy scaffolding for younger kids; they will likely need you or a teacher to explain what they're looking at.

Conversation Starters

"If you could put a satellite anywhere to watch one specific thing on Earth, what would it be?"
"Why do you think the temperature or vegetation looks so different in this part of the world compared to ours?"
"What's one thing the satellite can see that a person on the ground would totally miss?"
"How does seeing the Earth from space change how you think about the environment?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic