TOP PICKS | 27 TOOLS
Best Science Games for Students
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Ecology, Earth, and Space Science
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.
Space by Tinybop
Zoom into our solar system, solve mysteries with open-ended play
Bottom line: Learn about the sun, moon, and planets through interactive open-ended play.
Habitactics
Keep your ecosystem from crashing in this addictive puzzle game
Bottom line: Habitactics employs game-based learning to help students discover relationships in ecosystems.
Tyto Ecology
Well-developed biome sim provides cheap, endless learning
Bottom line: This affordable ecosystem balancing game teaches life science skills while keeping students engaged.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid $6.99 for base game (3 biomes); $3.99 for each biome expansion pack.
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
Fate of the World: Tipping Point
Complex global-influence game in which players’ choices rule the world
Bottom line: Complex multi-issue game succeeds in teaching world politics and global development while building perspective and decision-making skills.
Grades: 10–12
Price: $18.99
Biology and Botany
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.
Grades: 4–10
Price: 5.99 per account
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.
Who Wants to Live a Million Years?
Fast, focused natural selection game encourages experimentation
Bottom line: Gives students a thoroughly interesting and interactive introduction to natural selection, paving the way for deeper study.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $9.99, $89.70/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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Paid $17.99
Solve the Outbreak
Become a disease detective -- read clues, analyze data, save lives
Bottom line: Solve the Outbreak is a free, engaging resource that teaches kids about disease control and prevention.
Physics and Chemistry
Thinkrolls
Fun physics platformer teaches, engages young elementary students
Bottom line: Highly engaging game packs in physics learning and puzzling fun.
Crazy Gears
Highly applicable STEM-themed free play; easy appeal for wide audience
Bottom line: A clear, simple, and fun introduction to science and engineering topics that may otherwise feel unapproachable for some kids.
Simple Machines by Tinybop
Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games
Bottom line: Fun gameplay lets kids explore important physics concepts in a solid standards-aligned context.
Bobo Explores Light
Cute robot guides kids through concepts in excellent science app
Bottom line: New ways to play with light inspire kids to learn more from this hands-on science app.
Inventioneers Full Version
Budding engineers create design solutions with fun physics puzzler
Bottom line: A fun, engaging way to boost critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while learning about important science and engineering practices.
Sound Rebound
Make musical contraptions with playful sound and physics sandbox
Bottom line: This engaging and open-ended sandbox app has limited functionality but will engross students for extended periods.
World of Goo
Fun puzzler about building structures with unique materials
Bottom line: This game offers a dependable hook for getting kids interested in geometry and the elements of building structures.
Motion Force
Thrilling projectile puzzle game features solid physics principles
Bottom line: This fun, gentle introduction to projectile motion will stick with students.
Grades: 5–10
Price: $5.99 Each student will need an individual account in order to preserve save states and track student progress.
Portal 2 Puzzle Maker
Mind-bending level editor for beloved physics game
Bottom line: For STEAM educators with the right tech and know-how, it'd be puzzling not to use this tool.
Grades: 7–12
Price: $19.99 Puzzle Maker is included with purchase of Portal 2.
Garry's Mod
Complex physics sandbox is daunting but rich
Bottom line: This physics sandbox ramps up the complexity but not the usability, leaving it up to the right teachers and students to unlock its benefits.
Grades: 8–12
Price: $9.99
Chairs! Organic Chemistry Game
Learn chemistry chair conformations through a tactile puzzle game
Bottom line: This fun puzzle game helps students draw chair conformations; teachers will need to add context.
Collisions: Play Chemistry
Game-based challenges build crucial chemistry concepts
Bottom line: Learn about atoms, ions, and bonding through challenge-based gameplay.
Kerbal Space Program
Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim
Bottom line: This accurate rocket sim encourages trial-and-error learning and makes for great (and often explosive) physics and engineering experiments.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free to Try, Paid $39.99, free demo
