Since we keep our pulse on the latest and greatest in tech, we're keen on watching to see who gets crowned supreme in the Education and Reference category. While we have to say, we think that there are plenty more brilliant educational apps for kids that should have been nominated, there were three nominees that really stood out to us as worth a download.

Star Walk

We featured this app recently and we're glad to see it made the cut. It certainly impressed us, providing everything you'd want to know about the planetary system, constellations and beyond. Using your camera-enabled iOS device, you simply point the screen at whatever part of the sky you want to learn about. It's out of this world. ($4.99 for iPad) 

Al Gore's Our Choice 

If you want someone to teach you about environmental matters, I'd say Al Gore is a pretty good person for the job. This app provides a comprehensive interactive experience on global warming. Designed in storybook format, Mr. Gore himself walks readers through the causes of climate change and progress that has been made to stop it. There are amazing photos, videos and animation that makes this an engrossing experience for kids and adults alike--and with Earth Day coming up, what a great way to open a conversation about doing a little better by our planet. ($4.99, iTunes) -Jeana