Best NGSS Apps, Games, and Websites

Top Pick

With their three-dimensional blend of Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science & Engineering Practices, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have tons of potential to reshape how students learn science. However, teachers know that it can be a tall order to find edtech well-suited to NGSS's unique style of inquiry-driven and conceptually focused STEM learning. These tools are the best we've found for investigating phenomena and doing science, not just learning content.

Analyze Real-Life Data

Lawrence Hall of Science: 24/7 Science Visit Website: http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidsite/ First-class site for science games and investigations	Grades K-5 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 3
Playground Physics Publisher: New York Hall of Science Fun video app lets students track motion to explore physics concepts	Grades K-10 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Tuva Labs Visit Website: https://tuvalabs.com/ Access to curated data sets has tons of potential, needs more teacher support	Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free, Paid Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating 4
Lab4Physics Publisher: Lab4U Inc. Bring physics to life using lab sensors built right into your smartphone	Grades 6-12 Type App Price Free, Free to Try, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
NOVA Labs Visit Website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/ Online science, mastered: exceptional content within meaningful tasks	Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
The PocketLab Publisher: Myriad Sensors Gather and analyze live data anywhere	Grades 6-12 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, Chrome, Windows Phone Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 5
BioInteractive Visit Website: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive High-quality multimedia brings biological research to life	Grades 9-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Develop a Global Perspective

Ansel and Clair's Adventures in Africa Publisher: Cognitive Kid, Inc. Find lions, giraffes, and a robot (oh my!) in this fab app adventure	Grades K-3 Type App Price $4.99 Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 3
Mystery Science Visit Website: http://mysteryscience.com Big questions, kids' curiosity drive thoughtful science curriculum	Grades K-5 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Journey North Visit Website: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/ Long-standing citizen science site continues to inspire learners	Grades 1-8 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Zooniverse Visit Website: https://www.zooniverse.org/ Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant	Grades 2-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
NASA Global Climate Change - Vital Signs of the Planet Visit Website: http://climate.nasa.gov Tons of climate change info from expert sources in one easy place	Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Engage in Engineering Practices

Curiosity Machine Visit Website: https://www.curiositymachine.org Kids build, share, receive pro feedback with awesome engineering site	Grades 2-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
PBS LearningMedia: Teaching NGSS Engineering Design Through Media Visit Website: http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/ Videos, lessons, essays, PD help bring engineering practices to kids	Grades 2-12 Type Website Price Free, Paid Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
Design Squad Nation Visit Website: http://pbskids.org/designsquad Classmates can compete to solve fun engineering problems	Grades 3-8 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
DIY Sun Science Publisher: The Lawrence Hall of Science Exciting astronomy resource brightens learning in the classroom	Grades 3-8 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
Mosa Mack Science Visit Website: https://www.mosamack.com/ Engaging design challenges turn kids into actual science detectives	Grades 5-8 Type Website Price Free, Free to Try Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
Autodesk Design Academy Visit Website: http://academy.autodesk.com Outstanding project-based tutorials for popular engineering software	Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Play with Simulations and Sandboxes

Simple Machines by Tinybop Publisher: Tinybop Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games	Grades K-5 Type App Price 2.99 Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
PhET Interactive Simulations Visit Website: https://phet.colorado.edu Massive cache of excellent (and free!) science and math simulations	Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
Space by Tinybop Publisher: Tinybop Zoom into our solar system, solve mysteries with open-ended play	Grades 1-8 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
ExploreLearning Gizmos Visit Website: http://explorelearning.com Vast array of science and math simulations impresses	Grades 3-12 Type Website Price Free to Try, Paid Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
Algodoo Publisher: Algoryx Sandbox tool enables engaged, conceptual physics inquiry	Grades 4-12 Type Game Price Free Platforms Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
Prepmagic Visit Website: https://www.prepmagic.com/ Customize science simulations to highlight phenomena	Grades 6-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Kerbal Space Program Publisher: Squad Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim	Grades 9-12 Type Game Price Free to Try, Paid Platforms Linux, Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2017 All rights reserved. Common Sense, Common Sense Media, Common Sense Education and Common Sense Kids Action, associated names, associated trademarks, and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. (FEIN 41-2024986) Teaching strategies and digital citizenship tools for educators.

Analyze Real-Life Data

Develop a Global Perspective

Engage in Engineering Practices

Play with Simulations and Sandboxes

Related Top Picks

Please take a second to answer this question.

Thank you!