Excellent Ecology and Environmental Science Apps, Games, and Websites

Photo-finding missions get kids out to explore and enjoy their world

Bottom Line: Inspiring photo-hunting missions are wonderful outlets for creative expression and easily prompt deeper exploration.

Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant

Bottom Line: Engage in meaningful, relevant research with citizen scientists from around the world.

Empowering sustainable development app organizes, educates

Bottom Line: It's a well-packaged way for teachers to educate students about the current challenges facing the world and to give them a conduit for social justice.

Engaging online community for relevant, hands-on science fieldwork

Bottom Line: Project Noah is a free and easy way to take part in biodiversity research with the support of a knowledgeable and global community.

Global citizen-science community for real-world research

Bottom Line: Teens can do hands-on nature research, but in a limited way.

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.

Quality coral reef ecosystem app a no-brainer for young explorers

Bottom Line: With this fun, well-packaged app, young students will learn how interconnected life in the coral reef is.

Web games, outside adventures offer in-depth tour of Earth’s ecosystems

Bottom Line: Student-directed investigations and outdoor extension activities elevate Plum Landing beyond just a companion site for the TV show.

At home or on location, explore and model watersheds and ecosystems

Bottom Line: The combination of easy-to-use task directions and accessible materials make this great for class centers or family extensions.

Fun interactive app dives deep into aquatic food webs

Bottom Line: With some extra scaffolding, this interactive resource can be a unique way to reinforce concepts related to ocean ecosystems.

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.

Smartly designed environmental sim great for learning about ecosystems

Bottom Line: iBiome-Wetland is a fun, interactive way to learn about ecosystems without the hassle of getting wet.

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.

Well-developed biome sim provides cheap, endless learning

Bottom Line: This affordable ecosystem balancing game teaches life science skills while keeping students engaged.

Kid-friendly science and social studies info via videos, games, and more

Bottom Line: Large collection of approachable, fun multimedia resources about animals, habitats, countries, and cultures.

Kid-friendly, expert site explores key climate issues

Bottom Line: A great launching point for engaging in accurate and timely climate change information.

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.

Captivating catalog of biodiversity with great classroom resources

Bottom Line: Powerful images and videos capture kids' attention and make them want to learn more.

Awe-inspiring nature resource places importance on our planet's future

Bottom Line: For learning about how animals survive on a changing planet and about possible solutions to threatened ecosystems, bioGraphic is a stunning and informative place to start.

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.

Relatable climate change resources empower youth to take action

Bottom Line: This free, high-quality resource is a one-stop, self-contained series of lessons on the effects of climate change, what causes it, and how to fight it going forward.

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.

Cute science and engineering activities can fill gaps, feed curiosity

Bottom Line: These games can be a great supplement to a science class, though each individual activity works best when played in a single session.

Kid conservationist's paradise with great images, vids, animals galore

Bottom Line: Great ecology lesson plans and videos are rich with engrossing animal goodies, but the accompanying games don't teach much science.

Adorable social innovation app spurs discussion, collective action

Bottom Line: This free app, when used with the extension materials, will help students understand their role in the environment and the economy, and empower them to make change for the better.

Eco-minded site with fun games and a wealth of teacher resources

Bottom Line: Kids will learn about the environment in a fun and interactive way, while teachers will find useful lessons, templates, and printables.

Environmentally-minded city sim models sustainable building.

Bottom Line: It carves out a useful niche in a popular genre, showing how city planning, technological development, economics, and quality of life intersect with sustainability.