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Turn your science notes into an editable concept map

Skip the blank layout. DeckOwl reads your lecture notes, textbook chapter, or photo of a page and drafts a map of the key ideas and how they connect.

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Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

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Why a generated map beats a fixed template

A science concept map template usually gives you empty boxes and arrows, which helps with layout but leaves the thinking to you. Your lab handout or textbook chapter already names the concepts, so the map can start there.

Start from your own chapter or lab notes instead of blank boxes
Edit the draft so it uses the vocabulary your teacher uses
Explore branches one at a time when a process has many steps
Turn the same material into flashcards or a quiz afterward

Example science concept map branches

PhotosynthesisLight-dependent reactions · Calvin cycle · Inputs: light, water, CO2 · Outputs: glucose, oxygen

Cell respirationGlycolysis · Krebs cycle · Electron transport chain · Yields ATP in mitochondria

Newton's laws of motionFirst law: inertia · Second law: F = ma · Third law: action and reaction

Plate tectonicsDivergent, convergent, and transform boundaries · Driven by mantle convection · Causes earthquakes and volcanoes

Acids and basespH scale · Strong vs weak acids · Neutralization produces salt and water

Generate the full set

Built from your material

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, or a photo of a page, and the map starts from the concepts in your own course.

Editable branches

Rename nodes, move branches, and add terms your teacher stressed so the map matches your class rather than a generic layout.

Explorable structure

Expand and collapse branches to focus on one part of a process or system at a time, then study the same material as flashcards or a quiz.

How it works

Upload your source

Add the chapter, lab handout, or notes you are studying. Photos of printed pages are read with text recognition.

Review the draft

Check the central idea and main branches against your source, and fix any link that merges two concepts or skips a step.

Study the map

Explore each branch in the browser, then turn the same content into flashcards or a quiz before your test.

DeckOwl reads your PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes, or a photo of a page, then drafts a mind map with the main ideas as branches and supporting terms beneath them. You can rename nodes, move branches, and explore each one before you study.

Check the draft against your source, since any AI output can miss a relationship or merge two ideas. Once the structure matches your course, you can use it as the base for flashcards and practice questions.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I choose which concepts go on a science concept map?

Start with the central question of the chapter, then list the terms your teacher repeats or puts in bold. Keep the main concept at the center and connect only ideas with a clear relationship, such as cause, part, or sequence.

What is the difference between a concept map and a mind map for science?

A concept map labels each link with a relationship, such as 'produces' or 'requires', so each connection reads like a statement. A mind map radiates outward from one topic and is looser, which suits brainstorming more than explaining a process.

Can I export my science concept map?

Exporting to PDF or DOCX is part of the Plus plan, which costs $39/year or $7.99/month. The free plan lets you explore and study your map in the browser with 3 generations per month.

Is there a free way to try it?

Yes. The free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study, and no credit card is needed to start. Students with a school email get 40% off Plus.

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Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.