TOP PICKS | 33 TOOLS
Best Biology Apps and Websites for Students
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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.
Nico & Nor Wonder Farm
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.
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.
Mammals by Tinybop
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.
Mystery Science
Big questions, kids' curiosity drive impressive science curriculum
Bottom line: These powerful science units capitalize on elementary school students' natural curiosity.
World Book's World of Animals
Impressive multimedia encyclopedia of animals
Bottom line: Rich animal resource has lots of science, research, and writing applications.
CK-12
Super STEM resource with highly accessible content
Bottom line: Making STEM content accessible to kids with different learning styles, CK-12 could be the key to mastery for some students.
Lifeliqe
Impressive, interactive 3D models augment classroom learning
Bottom line: While some models are lower resolution and less appealing, Lifeliqe is still a no-brainer for supplying mostly clear, professional 3D models for deep investigation.
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.
Wisconsin Fast Plants
Easiest way to use plants in K-12 science classrooms
Bottom line: Detailed resource and support website for those teaching science through plants.
NAMOO - Wonders of Plant Life
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.
Edheads
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.
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.
Mosa Mack Science
Engaging design challenges turn kids into actual science detectives
Bottom line: An engaging way to weave some engineering into your middle school science lessons.
Crazy Plant Shop
Shop sim makes Punnett squares playful
Bottom line: Key science skills and competencies serve not as add-ons to the game but core mechanics, allowing genetics learning to occur naturally through play.
Cell Strike
Fight infections on compelling biology-based missions
Bottom line: A fun and efficient way for students to learn how components of the immune system work, with a bonus lesson in strategy.
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.
Encyclopedia of Life
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.
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.
ARKive
Captivating catalog of biodiversity with great classroom resources
Bottom line: Powerful images and videos capture kids' attention and make them want to learn more.
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.
Cell Command
Immersive biology game keeps students interested during learning
Bottom line: Students take away a broad knowledge of cell anatomy and function.
CellEnergy Photosynthesis Labs
Interactive carbon cycle labs deepen student understanding
Bottom line: Virtual labs help biology students investigate and model the movement of carbon and energy.
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.
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.
Re-Mission 2
Six arcade-style games tackle tough subject of cancer
Bottom line: Hours of engaging gameplay will grab even non-gamers and, with some guided reflection, can spur serious learning about the human body.
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.
Albert
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.
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.
All About Bird Biology
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.
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.
Cogent Education
Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies
Bottom line: Practice problem-solving skills and learn biology through interactive case studies.
Labster
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.
