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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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
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.
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 $17.99
AP Exam Prep Biology
Comprehensive array of study tools, solid content make studying a snap
Bottom line: Packed with plenty of study materials, if used wisely, this bio study tool will be worth the price.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $11.99
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
Cogent Education
Think like a scientist: Solve biology case studies
Bottom line: Practice problem-solving skills and learn biology through interactive case studies.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free to try, Paid There's a free trial, and then class subscriptions range from $79.99 per year (3 cases) to $289.99 per year (15 cases). School-wide pricing is available.
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.
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 $49/student/semester, though discounts are available. Labster also offers customized options.
Citizen Science
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
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
Project Noah
Contribute kid research to stellar crowdsourced field guide
Bottom line: An outstanding resource that makes science relevant with lots of classroom potential.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
Engineering and Design
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
Tinkercad
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Bottom line: A big step forward in making iterative 3D design more accessible and social.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free Free with .edu email account
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try, Paid There's a free trial; contact developer for pricing.
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.
Grades: 6–8
Price: Free to try, Paid $10 per student per year; Innovator's Program discount is $5 per student per year for teachers who'd like to provide feedback to developers. Custom pricing is available for districts.
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid $6.99 for base game (3 biomes); $3.99 for each biome expansion pack.
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: $19.99 Puzzle Maker is included with purchase of Portal 2.
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
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.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free, Paid Tuva Basic is free, with access to 15 data sets and five data set uploads. Tuva Premium is $400 per teacher per year or $4,000 per school per year (custom rates available) and provides access to the entire content library.
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.
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.
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; PocketLab sensors cost $98-$148 each. A classroom set of 10 PocketLab sensors can be purchased for $980.
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.
Grades: 11–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free, Paid Some of the educational kits and virtual programs have a cost for classrooms.
NASA
Visually super NASA-backed treasure trove may overwhelm
Bottom line: A visually stunning way to get kids interested in science and space exploration.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
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
TED-Ed
Support kids' sense of wonder with outstanding short videos
Bottom line: Excellent, engaging videos and support for flipped-class lessons with an incredible community of thinkers and doers.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 6–10
Price: Paid Prices range up to $12,000 for a school of 1500. Printed textbooks, science kits, and teacher training are also available for purchase.
Brilliant
Challenge top students with adaptive math and physics problems
Bottom line: This leveled physics and math problem site can be an exciting challenge for passionate students, but may be too much for struggling students.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Limited intro courses are free. Premium subscriptions are $9.99 per month (if billed annually), $24.99 per month (if billed monthly), and $599.99 for a lifetime membership. Pro subscriptions are $29.99 per month and add Q&A features.
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.
Grades: K–2
Price: $2.99
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.
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
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free