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Awesome Earth Science Apps, Websites, and Games
Top Picks
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A Changing Planet
The Earth by Tinybop
Explore challenging concepts with beautiful, interactive free play
Bottom line: When used in conjunction with the handbook, this interactive model is a good way to help teach kids about Earth.
Grades: K–2
Price: $2.99
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
Earthquakes for Kids
Fact-heavy site could shake things up with more kid-friendly design
Bottom line: Lots of great earthquake facts and data to be found, but most of it needs to be filtered through an adult.
Grades: 1–6
Price: Free
ExploreLearning 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
WWF Free Rivers
Gorgeous ecology AR model is simple but compelling
Bottom line: The free price tag makes this app a no-brainer for including in any lesson on water resources, though teachers will still need to provide context.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
Puzzling Plates
Piece together Earth's plates with fun science activities
Bottom line: This great Earth science tool gives kids an opportunity to interactively explore concepts related to plate tectonics.
Grades: 4–8
Price: $2.99
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
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
Focus on Earthquakes
Content-rich resource digs deep into the causes and consequences of earthquakes
Bottom line: This content-rich Earth science resource uses a range of formats to engage kids and to support diverse learning styles.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $3.99
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
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
Earth's History
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
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
CK-12
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
NASA
Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm
Bottom line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free
EarthViewer
Earth's deep geologic history and real science data at your fingertips
Bottom line: An unbeatable Earth Science app for its data, scope, and potential for learning.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
OER Project
Expansive world history courses powered by great open-source materials
Bottom line: With tons of support for teachers along the way, a stellar program for exploring foundational concepts in history, humanities, critical thinking, and science.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free
Focus on Climate
MarcoPolo Weather
Adorable sandbox tool lets kids safely explore, experiment, observe
Bottom line: A fun, cheerful way for kids to explore weather while appropriately touching on more serious issues like safety.
Grades: Pre-K–2
Price: $2.99
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
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
BiomeViewer
World habitat app full of intriguing visual comparisons, useful data
Bottom line: This biome reference app helps students get local when understanding their planet Earth.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Earth-Now
Enticing display of climate data updated regularly
Bottom line: There's a lot of potential in this visually stimulating resource tool, but teachers will need to do some serious legwork to make the data meaningful.
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
Structure of Earth
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
Google Earth
Dazzling globe-trotting tool has endless classroom applications
Bottom line: This tool defines engagement and offers a completely open-ended experience perfect for use across the educational spectrum.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
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
Earth Primer
Earth comes alive with interactive textbook; some content lacks depth
Bottom line: Though it's pricey and its progress tracking is limited, these interactive graphics will spark curiosity while teaching kids about a variety of Earth Science concepts.
Grades: 3–6
Price: $9.99
Google Earth VR
Explore the world with an incredible new perspective and sense of scale
Bottom line: An amazing experience that brings the world to life, despite the heavy investment in VR required.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
