TOP PICKS | 41 TOOLS
Top Tech for Advanced Science Students
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Advanced Biology
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.
BioDigital
Explore every bit of the human body in this powerful, interactive 3D tour
Bottom line: This visually stunning, incredibly useful way to virtually explore the human body is a must for the anatomy classroom.
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.
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.
Cogent Education
Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies
Bottom line: Practice problem-solving skills and learn biology through interactive case studies.
Scitable
Useful teacher tools, with articles suited for advanced bio students
Bottom line: Good resource for teachers looking to make a virtual classroom; the articles on current issues in science are great for more advanced students.
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.
Citizen Science
NASA NeMO-Net
Learn about ocean life and help NASA map the ocean floor
Bottom line: Simple actions to save the reefs empower students as citizen scientists.
Zooniverse
Real research powered by volunteers makes classroom content relevant
Bottom line: Engage in meaningful, relevant research with citizen scientists from around the world.
Project Noah
Contribute kid research to stellar crowdsourced field guide
Bottom line: An outstanding resource that makes science relevant with lots of classroom potential.
Mars Student Imaging Project
Take science research out of this world with NASA's Mars project
Bottom line: One of the best authentic inquiry space experiences out there: Use this tool to grow the next generation of researchers in your classroom.
Engineering and Design
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
STEM lessons creatively build off of NASA data and real space missions
Bottom line: These hands-on lessons approximate the work of NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts and make use of actual NASA satellite data.
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.
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.
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Bottom line: Full-featured site and app make iterative 3D design accessible, social, and relevant.
Autodesk Design Academy
Outstanding project-based tutorials for popular engineering software
Bottom line: The projects found here are a great way to teach and learn digital design; all are truly fantastic (and free!), with everything you need ready to go.
WhiteBox Learning
Design, analyze, and then build STEM applications
Bottom line: Complete learning modules include simple CAD design simulation tools, a digital competition, and options for hands-on building.
Game-Based Learning
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the Lab
Tuva Labs
Dynamic data-exploration tool offers large collection of data sets
Bottom line: Partner with another teacher (preferably a data whiz) and work together to develop cross-curricular activities.
CODAP
Drag and drop data to investigate nearly any subject
Bottom line: A bit awkward to use, but far more engaging than traditional spreadsheet/graphing tools.
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.
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.
VelocityLab
Turn anything with wheels into a handy motion sensor
Bottom line: Pair your device with PocketLab sensors to gather position, velocity, and acceleration data on anything that rolls.
My Experiment
Collaborative scientific social network best for advanced HS students
Bottom line: While not for everyone, this resource can be useful for advanced students conducting their own scientific research.
Interest-Driven Learning
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.
NASA
Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm
Bottom line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.
Science Friday
A weekly dose of curiosity for teachers and students alike
Bottom line: For a weekly rejuvenation of scientific learning, Science Friday is a source of inspiration for both teachers and students.
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.
TED-Ed
Support kids' sense of wonder with outstanding short video lessons
Bottom line: TED-Ed includes excellent, engaging videos and support for flipped-class lessons with an incredible community of thinkers and doers.
JASON Learning
Excellent immersion in science community; digital tools could do more
Bottom line: Despite a few shortcomings, it's a gem among science sites because of the way it brings professional science into classrooms.
Brilliant
Challenge top students with self-guided math, science, and CS courses
Bottom line: This learning and practice site can be an exciting challenge for passionate, independent students but may be too much for struggling kids.
Simulations and Experiments
The Earth by Tinybop
Explore challenging concepts with beautiful, interactive free play
Bottom line: When used in conjunction with the handbook, this interactive model is a good way to help teach kids about Earth.
Lawrence Hall of Science: 24/7 Science
Outdated site still useful for science games and investigations
Bottom line: Many of these interesting and highly educational activities, though a bit disorganized, still challenge and engage kids in important ways.
PhET Interactive Simulations
Massive collection 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.
Algodoo
Sandbox tool enables engaged, conceptual physics inquiry
Bottom line: A robust, free pedagogical tool that's like a digital workbench where kids build and apply conceptual science knowledge.
Exploratorium
Science experiments and activities abound in this comprehensive resource
Bottom line: A host of mostly at-home activities are available if kids stick to the Explore tab of online resources.
Universe Sandbox
Superb sandbox for astrophysics experimentation
Bottom line: An impressive -- and complex -- tool that encourages a playful, systems thinking-oriented exploration of the universe and astrophysics.