TOP PICKS | 29 TOOLS
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.
Mystery Science
Big questions, kids' curiosity drive impressive science curriculum
Bottom line: These powerful science units capitalize on elementary school students' natural curiosity.
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.
ExploreLearning Gizmos
Vast array of science and math simulations impresses
Bottom line: This powerful and extensive set of math and science tools puts the learning in students' hands.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 geography-based resources.
NOVA
Compelling science videos have high-quality classroom applications
Bottom line: Stellar simulations, teacher guides, and other activities can stand on their own, and they're enhanced with high-quality video content.
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.
NASA
Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm
Bottom line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.
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.
Big History Project
Fascinating look at life's bigger questions with a fresh perspective
Bottom line: A wonderfully innovative and divergent way to teach foundational concepts in history, humanities, critical thinking, and science.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Google Earth
Cool geographical exploration tool has endless classroom applications
Bottom line: Google Earth is an engaging and completely open-ended app perfect for use across the educational spectrum.
PhET Interactive Simulations
Massive cache 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.
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.
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.
Google Treks
Cool tool uses maps to create fun projects, could use some updating
Bottom line: The site offers a good variety of subjects and grade levels, but project quality across the site could use more consistency.
