Excellent Ecology and Environmental Science Apps, Games, and Websites

Top Pick

Whether investigating the varied interactions of organisms or observing the dynamics of our changing planet, scientists focus on solving local and global environmental issues. Apps, games, and websites can help students understand how these scientists might work to control pollution, manage natural resources, study climate change, or evaluate alternative energy. The tools on this list are great options for all ages that can help students make real-life connections to the Earth and its varied environments.

Become Citizen Scientists

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
Citizen Science Publisher: GLS Studios Comical narrative game shows intersection of ecology and social issues	Grades 4-8 Type Game Price Free Platforms Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Project Noah Publisher: Networked Organisms Contribute kid research to stellar crowdsourced field guide	Grades 4-12 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Project Noah Visit Website: http://www.projectnoah.org/ Engaging online community for relevant, hands-on science fieldwork	Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 3
iNaturalist Visit Website: http://www.inaturalist.org/ Global citizen-science community for real-world research	Grades 7-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating 4

Explore Earth's Ecosystems

MarcoPolo Ocean Publisher: MarcoPolo Learning Young explorers discover oceans through puzzles and free play	Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
PBS Kids: Plum Landing Visit Website: http://pbskids.org/plumlanding/ Web games, outside adventures offer in-depth tour of Earth’s ecosystems	Grades 1-4 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
DIY Lake Science Publisher: The Lawrence Hall of Science At home or on location, explore and model watersheds and ecosystems	Grades 2-7 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Crack the Books Publisher: MES Publishing LLC Interactive biomes textbooks impress; subscribe for premium features	Grades 2-8 Type App Price Free to Try, Paid Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
iBiome - Ocean Publisher: Springbay Studio Ltd. Fun interactive app dives deep into aquatic food webs	Grades 3-8 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Expeditions Publisher: Google Inc Fire up the warp drive to bring VR field trips to your classroom	Grades 3-12 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
iBiome -- Wetland Publisher: Springbay Studio Ltd. Smartly designed environmental sim great for learning about ecosystems	Grades 4-8 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
Habitactics Publisher: Amplify Education Keep your ecosystem from crashing in this addictive puzzle game	Grades 6-12 Type App Price Paid Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Investigate Global Issues

Plum's Photo Hunt Publisher: PBS KIDS Photo-finding missions get kids out to explore and enjoy their world	Grades 1-4 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
National Geographic Kids Visit Website: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com Stunning photos and in-depth stories of Earth's peoples and wildlife	Grades 1-6 Type Website Price Free, Paid Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
NASA Climate Kids Visit Website: http://climatekids.nasa.gov/ Kid-friendly, expert site explores key climate issues	Grades 3-6 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 3
ARKive Visit Website: http://www.arkive.org/ Captivating catalog of biodiversity with great classroom resources	Grades 6-10 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
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
Fate of the World: Tipping Point Publisher: Red Redemption Complex global-influence game in which players’ choices rule the world	Grades 10-12 Type Game Price $18.99 Platforms Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Promote Environmental Awareness

Ansel and Clair: Little Green Island Publisher: Cognitive Kid, Inc. Wonderfully engaging eco-sim lets kids become pollution fighters	Grades 2-4 Type App Price Free to Try Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
Earth Rangers Visit Website: http://www.earthrangers.com/ Kid conservationist's paradise with great images, vids, animals galore	Grades 2-8 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 3
EcoKids.ca Visit Website: http://www.ecokids.ca/ Eco-minded site with fun games and a wealth of teacher resources	Grades 3-8 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
SimCityEDU: Pollution Challenge! Publisher: GlassLab Classic city-building game tuned to teachers' needs	Grades 5-8 Type Game Price $19.99 individual; $49.99 to $649.99 license packs Platforms Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 3
Enercities Publisher: Paladin Studios Environmentally-minded city sim models sustainable building	Grades 6-12 Type Game Price Free Platforms Linux, Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4

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Become Citizen Scientists

Explore Earth's Ecosystems

Investigate Global Issues

Promote Environmental Awareness

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