Best Biology Apps and Websites for Students

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Impressive multimedia encyclopedia of animals

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

Super STEM, 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 mastery for some students.

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.

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.

Easiest way to use plants in K-12 science classrooms

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Virtual labs epitomize the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

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

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.

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.

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.

Captivating catalog of biodiversity with great classroom resources

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

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.

Interactive carbon cycle labs deepen student understanding

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

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.

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.

Vast collection of science resources emphasizes written reflection

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

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.

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.

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.

High-quality multimedia brings biological research to life

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

Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies

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

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.