Science is exciting. Unfortunately, students can find the lessons a little dry. Whether you’re in the classroom or teaching online, finding the right resources can bring these complex concepts to life! To help you get started, here’s a list of the best science websites for middle and high school. Jump to your field of study:
Best Science Websites for Teaching Biology
HHMI Biointeractive
You may be familiar with HHMI’s free movies and posters; they also offer films that are available to stream from the site. Other options include 3-D interactives, virtual labs, and printable activities.
Biology Junction
If you need a template for lab reports, ideas for your biology club, pacing guides or lessons for biology, Pre-AP Biology, or AP Biology, this is a good place to start.
Biology Corner
Developed by a high school teacher, Biology Corner includes curated resources from around the web paired with extra practice and presentations and as well as ready-to-use investigations.
Virtual Urchin
Sounds odd, but this robust site hosted by Stanford University utilizes sea urchins as an engaging entry point to life science concepts ranging from basic biology (introductory microscopy and predator-prey relationships) to university-level curriculum (gene function in embryos).
NOVA Labs
This site’s evolution lab makes phylogeny and evolutionary history accessible to all students while scaffolding an understanding of the fossil record, the role of DNA in evolution, and an introduction to biogeography. Kids can also play the role of a molecular engineer by solving RNA folding puzzles.
National Geographic Education
The resource library offers learning materials and activities on topics such as Oceanography, Cloning, Heterotrophs, and Genetically Modified Organisms.
Annenberg Learner Interactives
Rediscovering Biology: Molecular to Global Perspectives is an advanced course designed for high school teachers who possess substantial knowledge of basic biology but who want to update their content knowledge and understanding. The multimedia course materials include video, online text, interactive web activities, and a course guide.
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Best Science Websites for Teaching Chemistry
Ward’s Science featuring Ward’s World
Check out Ward’s World, a new destination that offers middle schoolers and their teachers free classroom activities, how-to videos, tips, tricks, and resources that make science easier—and more fun! Find chemistry, biology, physics, and earth science.
ChemCollective
Like most chemistry sites, virtual labs and lesson plans are freely available, but ChemCollective stands out with their scenario-based activities and forensics tie-ins with activities like the “Mixed Reception” Murder Mystery.
Bozeman Science
Want clear, standards-aligned videos? If so, Bozeman Science is a great resource for teaching AP Chemistry. You’ll be able to flip your classroom and provide additional support to your students.
American Association of Chemistry Teachers
One of the best resources for Chemistry teachers nationwide, the AACT produces consistently high-quality resources, including labs, demonstrations, and activities. The best part is that their materials are organized by grade and topic.
Middle School Chemistry
Don’t let the name fool you. Sure, this site is perfect for middle school learners, but if you teach introductory chemistry or physical science, the level of materials is perfect for grades 9-10, as well. Lesson plans are easy to find, and some are even available in Spanish for English language learners!
Annenberg Learner Interactives
The Periodic Table Interactive will take students through the periodic table piece by piece to give them a better understanding of how it works. Chemistry: Challenges and Solutions is a video instructional series on basic chemistry concepts and science history.
Chemdemos
Chemdemos are virtual interactives for more advanced chemistry students. Particulate models and real-time data help you get through labs that you may not have sufficient materials to complete. They can also give your students extra practice at home before or after “wet” labs.
Molecular Workbench
This site facilitates a microscopic understanding of our macroscopic world. You’ll be blown away by resources like their Semiconductor and Chemical Bonding Module. All of the modules contain embedded assessments to keep your students on track and inform you of their progress.
ChemMatters Online
Always free for everyone, this is a terrific resource for middle school and high school science teachers as well as parents. Each issue provides a new collection of articles on chemistry topics that students will find engaging and relatable. The back-issue online library offers interesting downloadable articles on all sorts of chemistry-related topics, while the Teacher’s Guides help you direct your students as they learn from their reading.
Best Science Websites for Teaching Earth Science
Annenberg Learner Interactives
The Dynamic Earth Interactive takes students through a visual feast through Earth’s layers and plate tectonics. The lessons can be extended by incorporating the Rock Cycle and Volcanoes Interactives.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Resource Collections
Along with oceans and coasts, weather, and more, instructors can find lesson plans in this collection that contain NOAA data and real-time weather information.
GeoInquiries
This collection includes all the major map-based concepts found in a typical middle or high school earth science course—topography, earthquakes, volcanoes, oceans, weather, and climate.
Inq-ITS
These digital labs focus on earth science topics for both middle and high school. Topics include continental plate boundaries, orbital patterns, and the sun-moon-earth system. All of their labs have automatic assessments to help teachers keep track of student growth.
High-Adventure Science
These free online curriculum lessons were developed for five days of classroom instruction and include one or more Earth systems models plus assessment items.
National Geographic Education
This resource library includes lessons covering a wide range of topics, including The Water Cycle, Erosion, Precipitation, and Metamorphic Rocks.
Best Science Websites for Teaching Environmental Science
Global Footprint Network Ecological Footprint Calculator
If you’re among those who calculate the ecological footprints as an activity in your AP Environmental Science class, you’ll enjoy this site. The questions are relatable to daily life, and the quiz can be retaken to analyze how lifestyle changes impact our footprint.
Population Education
This site helps to build a firm foundation so you can fully explore pollution, ecology, and biodiversity. It boasts interactive maps, a Find a Lesson feature, and learning materials available in Spanish.
National Energy Education Development Project
This great resource provides accurate energy usage data and information on energy technological advances through games, kits, math extensions, and their free downloadable Energy Infobooks.
Annenberg Learner Interactives
The Habitable Planet: A Systems Approach to Environmental Science is a video course that explores the natural functions of Earth’s systems and Earth’s ability to sustain life. Earth Revealed is a video instructional series on geology for high school classrooms that shows the physical processes and human activities that shape our planet.
GeoInquiries
This collection supports the map-based concepts found in high school environmental science like speciation, pollution, population ecology, and energy.
Best Science Websites for Teaching Physics
PhET Interactive Simulations
Complete with teacher-submitted and reviewed lessons, these activities help students explore topics including circuits, waves, and quantum mechanics.
The Physics Classroom
With a curriculum corner, question bank, lab area, and a NGSS-devoted page, this is valuable resource is among the best science websites for K-12—including distance learning!
Share My Lesson
Search through this great collection of hundreds of categorized ready-to-use handouts, labs, and lectures submitted by physics teachers. You’ll find resources on the conservation of energy and momentum, electromagnetism, fluid mechanics, and more!
Flipping Physics
The content from this popular site is comedic, clear and includes helpful algebra and calculus reviews. That means you can focus on the science content without mathematical misunderstandings.
Physics for the 21st Century
This resource is a one-stop-shop for teaching—textbook included! You’ll find learning units, videos, interactive simulations, and even a comprehensive Facilitator’s Guide!
New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning
A wealth of resources for physics, math, and chemistry online.
Annenberg Learner Interactives
The Amusement Park Physics Interactive will help students explore how physics laws affect amusement park ride design. In this exhibit, they will have a chance to find out by designing their own roller coaster.
What science websites would you add to the list? Come share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out our lists of science books and STEAM apps.
