The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) came out with their 25 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning for 2015. The apps were chosen because they foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration. 

This week we highlight Ripped Apart: A Civil War Mystery. The Civil War can be a hard subject for many students to engage in. Developed by the Smithsonian, this app “uses an inquiry-based approach to teach students about the Civil War. Users must solve puzzles to unlock clues and add notes to their journal.” The best part: upper elementary-high school students get a great introduction to the resources available through the Smithsonian Institute, while also reinforcing Civil War content.

The app is FREE for iOS devices and recommended for Upper Elementary and Middle School students. Check out the video below to learn more about the Smithsonian photographs that went into the app: