Ecology, Earth, and Space Science
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.
Hero Elementary
Cute science and engineering activities can fill gaps, feed curiosity
Bottom Line: These games can be a great supplement to a science class, though each individual activity works best when played in a single session.
Space by Tinybop
Zoom into our solar system, solve mysteries with open-ended play
Bottom Line: Learn about the sun, moon, and planets through interactive open-ended play.
Tyto Ecology
Well-developed biome sim provides cheap, endless learning
Bottom Line: This affordable ecosystem balancing game teaches life science skills while keeping students engaged.
Stop Disasters!
Slick sim explores global natural disasters
Bottom Line: Few other browser-based sims better illustrate the potential of gaming for learning about serious issues in our world.
Biology and Botany
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.
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.
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.
Solve the Outbreak
Become a disease detective -- read clues, analyze data, save lives
Bottom Line: Solve the Outbreak is a free, engaging resource that teaches kids about disease control and prevention.
Physics and Chemistry
Thinkrolls
Fun physics platformer teaches, engages young elementary students
Bottom Line: Highly engaging game packs in physics learning and puzzling fun.
Crazy Gears
Highly applicable STEM-themed free play; easy appeal for wide audience
Bottom Line: A clear, simple, and fun introduction to science and engineering topics that may otherwise feel unapproachable for some kids.
Simple Machines by Tinybop
Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games
Bottom Line: Fun gameplay lets kids explore important physics concepts in a solid standards-aligned context.
Inventioneers Full Version
Budding engineers create design solutions with fun physics puzzler
Bottom Line: A fun, engaging way to boost critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while learning about important science and engineering practices.
Garry's Mod
Complex physics sandbox is daunting but rich
Bottom Line: This physics sandbox ramps up the complexity but not the usability, leaving it up to the right teachers and students to unlock its benefits.
Chairs! Organic Chemistry Game
Learn chemistry chair conformations through a tactile puzzle game
Bottom Line: This fun puzzle game helps students draw chair conformations; teachers will need to add context.
Collisions: Play Chemistry
Game-based challenges build crucial chemistry concepts
Bottom Line: Learn about atoms, ions, and bonding through challenge-based gameplay.
Kerbal Space Program
Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim
Bottom Line: This accurate rocket sim encourages trial-and-error learning and makes for great (and often explosive) physics and engineering experiments.
Foldit
Challenging protein-folding puzzler helps science research
Bottom Line: While this still remains best for advanced students looking for a challenge, the education mode helps everyone give it a shot.
