31 TOOLS

Best Biology Apps and Websites for Students

Amp up animal acumen and power up plant knowledge with tech tools that look at the science of life. Biology encompasses a number of disciplines, including anatomy, botany, microbiology, zoology, genetics, and more. Students will find resources here that address all of them, whether they're looking at 3D models of a cell or performing investigations on animal behavior. From endangered species to the secrets of the ocean and games that give kids a new perspective, these tools will get kids hooked on the world of living things.

MarcoPolo Ocean

Young explorers discover oceans through puzzles and free play

Bottom Line: This fun app helps kids gain an appreciation for the waters that cover much of the Earth's surface.

Grades: Pre-K–K
Price:
Free

Nico & Nor Wonder Farm

Fun and engaging app will help basic plant growth concepts take root

Bottom Line: There's little doubt that this app will help students understand the basics of plant growth, especially if the included lessons are used.

Grades: Pre-K–1
Price:
Free

howtosmile

Useful science resource aggregator promotes diverse lessons

Bottom Line: Despite a few broken links, the site's easy and well-organized access to thousands of quality science activities is a valuable teacher resource.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

Mammals by Tinybop

Anatomy exploration app most effective with teacher guidance

Bottom Line: Students will learn the most from this fun free-explore app when teachers follow the included guide and supplement with their own lessons.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Paid

Mystery Science

Big questions, kids' curiosity drive impressive science curriculum

Bottom Line: Powerful, quirky science units encourage inquiry and experimentation, inspiring students to ask and answer big questions.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Free to try

World Book's World of Animals

Impressive multimedia encyclopedia of animals

Bottom Line: Rich animal resource has lots of science, research, and writing applications.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Paid

CK-12

STEM and social studies resource with highly customizable content

Bottom Line: Making content accessible to kids with different learning styles, CK-12 could be the key to students understanding STEM topics.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

Corinth

Impressive, interactive 3D models augment classroom learning

Bottom Line: While some models are lower resolution and less appealing, Corinth is still a no-brainer for supplying mostly clear, professional 3D models for deep investigation.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Paid

PhET Interactive Simulations

Massive collection of excellent (and free!) science and math simulations

Bottom Line: Instantly add meaningful lab experiences to math and science classrooms for exactly $0? It's tough to beat that.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Wisconsin Fast Plants

Easiest way to use plants in K-12 science classrooms

Bottom Line: Detailed resource and support website for those teaching science through plants.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

NAMOO - Wonders of Plant Life

Gorgeous hands-on 3D plant app will spark understanding

Bottom Line: This educational plant app illustrates lessons and engages students much better than any textbook or video.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Paid

Edheads

Realistic, appealing simulations deliver superb science content

Bottom Line: Definitely one for your “love it” list, the site helps kids simulate science and engineering career activities while covering related content.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Gizmos

Vast array of impressive, interactive science and math simulations

Bottom Line: This powerful and extensive set of math and science tools puts the learning in students' hands.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free to try

Mosa Mack Science

Engaging design challenges turn kids into actual science detectives

Bottom Line: A thorough, engaging way to weave some engineering into your middle school science lessons.

Grades: 4–8
Price:
Free to try

uHandy

Microscope attachment for mobile devices inspires field investigation

Bottom Line: The use of stickers instead of slides helps students examine their world at the microscopic level with safety and convenience.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Inq-ITS

Virtual labs epitomize the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

Bottom Line: Earth, life, and physical science simulations coach kids through the NGSS Practices.

Grades: 5–10
Price:
Free to try, Paid

The Explorers

Eco-minded app's quality visual content might inspire deeper learning

Bottom Line: The wide range of cool content is sure to fascinate students, but teachers will need to make sure that interest leads to deeper learning and research experiences.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free

Encyclopedia of Life

Superb crowdsourced knowledge bank teems with life for kid biologists

Bottom Line: It's jam-packed with vetted information on all living things; kids can become part of a vibrant community of science-minded folks.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free

Tyto Online

Ambitious science role-playing game has bright future

Bottom Line: Diverse characters, immersive experiences, and useful teacher tools make this life science RPG worth checking out.

Grades: 6–8
Price:
Free to try

ARKive

Captivating catalog of biodiversity with great classroom resources

Bottom Line: Powerful images and videos capture kids' attention and make them want to learn more.

Grades: 6–10
Price:
Free

Cell and Cell Structure

Visually stunning tool great for supplementing lessons about cells

Bottom Line: Cell and Cell Structure is an interactive and engaging reference tool that takes kids on a journey to learn about cells.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Paid

CellEnergy Photosynthesis Labs

Interactive carbon cycle labs deepen student understanding

Bottom Line: Virtual labs help biology students investigate and model the movement of carbon and energy.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Learn.Genetics

Dreamland of multimedia resources for budding biologists

Bottom Line: Biology teachers and students will find a lot of useful multimedia here to help them teach and understand complex genetics topics.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

NOVA Labs

Online science, mastered: exceptional content within meaningful tasks

Bottom Line: Serious, sophisticated science engagement -- but be prepared to take some prep time to connect these labs with your classroom.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

The Concord Consortium

Vast collection of science resources emphasizes written reflection

Bottom Line: A selection of online science simulations paired with a teacher dashboard to track progress.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Albert

Flexible, interactive test-prep practice for high school and beyond

Bottom Line: A variety of question types and on-the-spot analytics help teachers individualize test-prep practice.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Niche - a genetics survival game

Immersive genetics sim puts evolution in students' hands

Bottom Line: This hands-on genetics game allows students to experiment, explore traits, and come away with a sophisticated understanding of the subject.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free, Paid

All About Bird Biology

Stellar videos and games fill a narrow but rich niche in the classroom

Bottom Line: Engaging images and info, but more explicit education connections would make this classroom-ready.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

BioInteractive

High-quality multimedia brings biological research to life

Bottom Line: Superb multimedia tools and lesson plans help kids explore biology through real-world examples.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

Cogent Education

Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies

Bottom Line: Practice problem-solving skills and learn biology through interactive case studies.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Labster

Impressive, advanced virtual biotech labs contain glitches

Bottom Line: Take it out for a spin to get a sense of its limitations and those glitches, and then embrace this amazing virtual tool as an introduction, a review, or (sometimes) even a wet-lab replacement.

Grades: 10–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

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