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Great Heredity and Genetics Games and Websites
Top Picks
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DNA Play
Adorable open-ended genetics app gives students mutation power
Bottom line: Engaging DNA app will keep younger students' attention while they build a foundation of biology knowledge.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: $2.99
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.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
ExploreLearning Gizmos
Vast array of impressive, interactive science and math simulations
Bottom line: This powerful and extensive set of math and science tools puts the learning in students' hands.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free to try
Thingdom
Cartoon "Things" make selective breeding a blast
Bottom line: It's pretty simple, but totally free with just enough charm, critical thinking, and experimentation to get kids excited about he world of genetics.
Grades: 4–9
Price: Free
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
Spore
Kids play mad scientists to design fantastic creatures
Bottom line: Spore is a great game for digital creation and design, wherein kids experiment with biological adaptation.
Grades: 4–12
Price: 49.99
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.
Grades: 6–8
Price: Free to try, Paid
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Dragon Breeder
Genetics gem helps students perfect their Punnett square smarts
Bottom line: A well-implemented game for learning the basics of genetics, and a fun way to solidify knowledge.
Grades: 7–12
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
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 10–12
Price: Free to try, Paid