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Top Apps, Games, and Websites for Scientific Inquiry

These tools offer students the techniques to design their own "scientific method" through inquiry-based learning: making observations, asking questions, gathering data, uncovering answers, revising their thinking, and asking new questions. Use these tools to harness students' natural curiosity and inspire them to think critically and creatively as they make sense of the scientific phenomena around them.

Top Picks

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Explore Models and Simulations

Lawrence Hall of Science: 24/7 Science

Outdated site still useful for science games and investigations

Bottom line: These interesting and highly educational activities, though a bit disorganized, still challenge and engage kids in important ways.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free

PhET Interactive Simulations

Massive cache of excellent (and free!) science and math simulations

Bottom line: Instantly add meaningful lab experiences to math and science classrooms for exactly $0? It's tough to beat that.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

ExploreLearning Gizmos

Vast array of science and math simulations impresses

Bottom line: This powerful set of math and science tools puts the learning in students' hands.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid Free accounts allow access to a rotating collection of free Gizmos, as well as a preview of all Gizmos for up to 5 minutes a day. School and district licenses available; pricing available upon request.

Inq-ITS

Virtual labs epitomize the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices

Bottom line: Earth, life, and physical science simulations coach kids through the NGSS Practices.

Grades: 5–10 Price: Free to Try, Paid Pricing available upon request; school and district licenses are available.

UL Xplorlabs

Safety engineering site blends in-class experiments with online sims

Bottom line: Middle school students get to design and test solutions to actual safety problems.

Grades: 6–8 Price: Free

Happy Atoms

Build molecules with physical models, explore with your device

Bottom line: Empower students to learn about molecules -- built with physical models -- using the camera on a hand-held device.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid App is free but requires purchase of a modeling kit. Modeling kits range from $51 to $710; an educator's bundle is available with a 250-atom set for $710.

Collisions: Play Chemistry

Game-based challenges build crucial chemistry concepts

Bottom line: Learn about atoms, ions, and bonding through challenge-based gameplay.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free to Try, Paid The Atoms module is free to play, and there is a 30-day free classroom trial for all modules. All-access accounts cost $135 per year for one class, $395 per year for multiple classes, and $1,150 per year for schools.

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

Gather and Analyze Data

Photo Stuff with Ruff

Materials science photo app gets kids examining their surroundings

Bottom line: Perfect for physical science lessons in classrooms with handheld devices, but the app needs an update to prevent crashing.

Grades: K–3 Price: Free

Playground Physics

Fun video app lets students track motion to explore physics concepts

Bottom line: This is a cheap way to get students out of their chairs to make physics real and tangible, empowering learners and encouraging curiosity.

Grades: K–10 Price: Free Schools can deploy the apps for free through the Volume Purchase Program to support managed deployments.

Journey North

Long-standing citizen science site continues to inspire learners

Bottom line: Extensive resources can help kids collect, share, and analyze evidence about seasonal change.

Grades: 1–8 Price: Free

Coach's Eye - Video Analysis

Robust video analysis for sports, science, fine arts performances

Bottom line: Cool video-analysis tool is great for the sports field and beyond, but prepare for an onslaught of hidden costs to access all features.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Paid The app is $4.99 each when purchasing one to 19 and $2.49 each for 20 or more.

Zooniverse

Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant

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

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free

Zydeco Inquiry

Record and organize scientific observations on the go

Bottom line: Record, organize, and explain observations from everyday experiences with your mobile device.

Grades: 3–8 Price: Free

EarthViewer

Earth's deep geologic history and real science data at your fingertips

Bottom line: An unbeatable Earth Science app for its data, scope, and potential for learning.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

Lab4Physics

Bring physics to life using lab sensors built right into your smartphone

Bottom line: Use your smartphone to gather data and study speed, gravity, waves, and other physics concepts.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Free to Try, Paid Premium costs $14.99 each year with a 45-day free trial.

The PocketLab

Gather and analyze live data anywhere

Bottom line: A science sensor that pairs with your device to gather and analyze data is perfect for inquiry-based learning.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free, Paid The app is free; sensors cost $98-$148 each. A classroom set of 10 PocketLab sensors can be bought for $980.

Science Journal

Turn your Android into a lab sensor to collect and analyze data

Bottom line: Science Journal does a good job recording real-time motion, sound, and light data using Android phones.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free

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.

Grades: 8–12 Price: Free

Make and Design Projects

California Academy of Sciences

Expert research and diverse, rich lessons inspire future scientists

Bottom line: A perfect companion to (or substitute for) the Academy, this site delivers highly interactive resources and research with a lot of depth.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free, Paid Some of the educational kits and virtual programs have a cost for classrooms.

DIY Nano

Turn kids into budding nanoscientists who explore the tiniest things

Bottom line: Scientist-reviewed videos and activities relate nanoscience to everyday life.

Grades: 2–5 Price: Free

littleBits Invent

Top-notch tool empowers kids to invent, build, and control wirelessly

Bottom line: Easy-to-use, versatile electronic invention set that works wirelessly with your hand-held device.

Grades: 2–8 Price: Free, Paid The app is free; the standard Gizmos & Gadgets Kit costs $199.95. Various other classroom kits are available.

Curiosity Machine

Kids build, share, receive pro feedback with awesome engineering site

Bottom line: Though it may not be an instant fit for your classroom, the exceptional quality of the site’s projects and processes makes it worth any problem solving.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free

Design Squad Global

Fun engineering problems encourage classroom competition, innovation

Bottom line: Design Squad Global makes learning STEAM concepts fun through hands-on activities and easy-to-understand scientific explanations.

Grades: 3–8 Price: Free

DIY App - Creative Community for Kids

From cardboarding to cooking, this app helps kids find the fun in DIY

Bottom line: Fabulous way for kids to get skills and share their projects digitally.

Grades: 3–8 Price: Free While currently free at the time of this review, this app will reportedly offer paid premium services and real embroidered patches for a fee in the future.

Science Buddies

A magic wand for those seeking science project support and success

Bottom line: Take the jitters out of science or engineering projects and fairs; this remarkable site coaches and supports students, parents, and teachers.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free

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