A female elementary student wearing headphones smiles while working with her teacher on a classroom digital tablet.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Get free resources and keep up with the latest media and tech trends for educators.

48 TOOLS

Terrific Websites for Science

From biology to chemistry to physics, these science-oriented websites will help your students learn more about the world around them; they'll make observations, notice patterns, and get important information about plants, animals, and people. Whether they're playing with genetic simulations, designing solutions to combat climate change, exploring videos of weather phenomena, or engaging in authentic citizen science, students can use these sites to engage in practices and skills crucial for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

All Grades

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

National Geographic Education

Top geography resource site provides global exploration opportunities

Bottom Line: This is a must-bookmark site for classrooms across the curriculum hunting for inspiring place-based resources.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

National Science Digital Library

Treasure trove of pre-K-12 science resources of varying quality

Bottom Line: An easy-to-use resource for expanding teachers' science and science-adjacent curriculum options for all ages.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

STEM lessons creatively build off of NASA data and real space missions

Bottom Line: These hands-on lessons approximate the work of NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts and make use of actual NASA satellite data.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

California Academy of Sciences

Expert research and diverse, rich lessons inspire future scientists

Bottom Line: A perfect companion to (or substitute for) the Academy, this site delivers highly interactive resources and research with a lot of depth.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free, 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

Defined Learning

Stellar collection of STEM resources supports project-based learning

Bottom Line: Excellent, well-thought-out resources for developing problem-solving skills in the classroom.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Smithsonian Science Education Center

Teacher-geared site outlines steps for innovative science instruction

Bottom Line: Use the SSEC's site as a stop on your changing-science-instruction path; just be prepared to reach out to them for constructive details.

Grades: K–10
Price:
Free

OK Go Sandbox

Creative music video-inspired STEAM design challenges

Bottom Line: After watching OK Go music videos, kids will be excited to make new creations by integrating art, science, and math.

Grades: 1–12
Price:
Free

Zooniverse

Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant

Bottom Line: Engage in meaningful, relevant research with citizen scientists from around the world.

Grades: 2–12
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

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

Science Friday

A weekly dose of curiosity for teachers and students alike

Bottom Line: For a weekly rejuvenation of scientific learning, Science Friday is a source of inspiration for both teachers and students.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

Project Noah

Engaging online community for relevant, hands-on science fieldwork

Bottom Line: Project Noah is a free and easy way to take part in biodiversity research with the support of a knowledgeable and global community.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free

Primary Grades

Kide Science

Storytelling plus creative lesson plans make STEAM concepts come alive

Bottom Line: This wonderful collection offers lots of neat offline activities that'll delight students and shape their thinking skills.

Grades: Pre-K–2
Price:
Free, Paid

PBS Kids

One-stop shop for a wealth of fantastic PBS Kids educational content

Bottom Line: Robust collection of learning resources covers an impressive array of topics.

Grades: Pre-K–4
Price:
Free

National Geographic Kids

Kid-friendly science and social studies info via videos, games, and more

Bottom Line: Large collection of approachable, fun multimedia resources about animals, habitats, countries, and cultures.

Grades: Pre-K–8
Price:
Free

BrainPOP Jr.

Original videos and activities a treasure trove for teachers and students

Bottom Line: A unique, video-driven learning platform with tons of topics and resources.

Grades: K–3
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: K–3
Price:
Free

Koantum

Engage young scientists with the 5E model, kid-friendly lessons

Bottom Line: Engaging, interactive lesson plans help students grasp elementary science concepts.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Paid

Lawrence Hall of Science: 24/7 Science

Outdated site still useful for science games and investigations

Bottom Line: Many of these interesting and highly educational activities, though a bit disorganized, still challenge and engage kids in important ways.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Free

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

Science4Us

Supplement your science curriculum with fun 5E-guided lessons

Bottom Line: While it could use some tweaks, this tool has a great set of well-structured interactive science modules featuring some neat interactivity.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Free to try

Tinybop Schools

Collection of STEM simulations that students will love to explore

Bottom Line: Tinybop Schools offers meaningful scientific exploration to students, particularly when partnered with good teaching and discussion.

Grades: K–8
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Climate Kids

Kid-friendly, expert site explores key climate issues

Bottom Line: A great launching point for engaging in accurate and timely climate change information.

Grades: 3–6
Price:
Free

Slooh

Epic astronomy portal delivers fun lessons, real telescopes, experts

Bottom Line: If it's in the budget, Slooh provides an invaluable, unprecedented solution for applied science study, easy astronomy study, research, and the opportunity to practice astrophotography.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free to try

Secondary Grades

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

Frontiers for Young Minds

Kids and scientists collaborate to create high-quality articles

Bottom Line: A well-designed site that keeps kids in mind without sacrificing educational integrity.

Grades: 4–10
Price:
Free

Esri GeoInquiries

Captivating, focused map activities support larger curricular lessons

Bottom Line: These inquiry-based activities are a valuable visual and investigative resource for teachers and students in many different subjects.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free

Tuva Labs

Dynamic data-exploration tool offers large collection of data sets

Bottom Line: Partner with another teacher (preferably a data whiz) and work together to develop cross-curricular activities.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free, Paid

UL Xplorlabs

Safety engineering site blends in-class experiments with online sims

Bottom Line: Middle school students get to design and test solutions to actual safety problems.

Grades: 6–8
Price:
Free

JASON Learning

Excellent immersion in science community; digital tools could do more

Bottom Line: Despite a few shortcomings, it's a gem among science sites because of the way it brings professional science into classrooms.

Grades: 6–10
Price:
Paid

bioGraphic

Awe-inspiring nature resource places importance on our planet's future

Bottom Line: For learning about how animals survive on a changing planet and about possible solutions to threatened ecosystems, bioGraphic is a stunning and informative place to start.

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

DataClassroom

Statistical analysis for science classrooms made easy

Bottom Line: Perform a t-test or chi-square analysis using your own data or provided data sets.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

High-Adventure Science

Highly relevant site teaches how to construct arguments, defend claims

Bottom Line: Provides a crucial and timely earth science backdrop to lessons on analysis, data, and modeling that are important for all students to grasp.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

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

NASA Global Climate Change - Vital Signs of the Planet

Tons of climate change info from expert sources in one easy place

Bottom Line: This is a one-stop shop for climate change info, from basic intro content to practical guides and raw data; good for middle schoolers and up.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

NOVA

Compelling science videos have high-quality classroom applications

Bottom Line: Unparalleled science documentaries offer a window into real-world scientific topics in a high-interest way.

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

Our Climate Our Future

Relatable climate change resources empower youth to take action

Bottom Line: This free, high-quality resource is a one-stop, self-contained series of lessons on the effects of climate change, what causes it, and how to fight it going forward.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Prepmagic

Customize science simulations to highlight phenomena

Bottom Line: Science simulations become more effective with teacher-added edits and formative assessments.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

WhiteBox Learning

Design, analyze, and then build STEM applications

Bottom Line: Complete learning modules include simple CAD design simulation tools, a digital competition, and options for hands-on building.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Mars Student Imaging Project

Take science research out of this world with NASA's Mars project

Bottom Line: One of the best authentic inquiry space experiences out there: Use this tool to grow the next generation of researchers in your classroom.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free

Ptable

Definitive periodic table with all the bells and whistles

Bottom Line: You won't need any other once you have probed the depths of this truly complete reference resource.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free

A.D.A.M. Interactive Anatomy

Explore detailed images with powerful, customizable anatomy curriculum

Bottom Line: A stellar tool that tops other 3-D interactive anatomy sites with its extensive curriculum-building capabilities.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free to try, Paid

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

Climate Science, Risk & Solutions

Comprehensive climate change facts visit history, offer solutions

Bottom Line: This sophisticated resource covers climate change thoroughly, but may not be accessible to all.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Free

More Picks for You

  • Lessons and Tools for Teaching About Artificial Intelligence

  • Resources for After-School Enrichment Programs and Clubs

  • Best Robotics Apps and Websites for STEM Classrooms