The potential for mobile devices and apps to engage citizens in science, engineering and economic development was the focus of a panel discussion today in Washington D.C. hosted by the College of Engineering and the Office of Government Relations at the University of Georgia.

Citizen Science: Growing Apps for the Public Good featured presentations by Jenna Jambeck and Kyle Johnsen, associate professors in the College of Engineering and developers of the Marine Debris Tracker. The popular mobile app allows users to report debris anywhere in the world. So far, the app’s users have logged and helped remove more than a half-million litter and marine debris items across the globe.

The event at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center attracted members of the U.S. House and Senate Ocean Caucus, staff from Georgia’s legislative delegation and representatives of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).

Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia served as a sponsor of the event.