Best Science Websites for Middle School and High School

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:

Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Physics

Best Science Websites for Teaching Biology

HHMI Biointeractive

Still of hhmi BioInteractive best science websites high school

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.

[contextly_auto_sidebar]

Best Science Websites for Teaching Chemistry

Ward’s Science featuring Ward’s World

Still of Ward's Science website

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

Still of the Global Footprint Network website

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.