Find and Explore Resources to Help Plan Science Lessons

In 2013, the K–12 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) were released. The idea of using phenomena—observable events that occur in the universe—is highly encouraged, as it makes science meaningful and connected to the world in which students live. Many older science curricula and resources are not well connected to developing science standards or phenomena and may not connect with students in your own classroom. There are many digital resources that can help educators and students access current and meaningful science lessons and resources.

The tools on this page focus on science lessons and resources, especially for educators. Nearly all of these are free, or have components that are free, and are easily accessible on most digital platforms.

K–12 Lessons and Resources

• Demonstrate with Google Slides: Use Google Slides to demonstrate science learning. This blog post looks at ways to develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, and analyze/interpret data.
• Google STEM for Education: Explore Google resources for STEM, including Science Journal, Tour Creator, Earth Studio, Earth Engine, and the Chromebook app hub.
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA): These STEM lessons build off of NASA data and real space missions.
• Smithsonian Learning Lab: Browse these learning lab collections from the Smithsonian or search “science” to narrow your results.
• National Science Digital Library: Find science resources. Search by subject area, education level, material type, and conditions of use. Resources include an activity/lab, case studies, data sets, illustrations, courses, games, interactives, and more.
• Project Squirrel: This is an opportunity for students to become citizen scientists and contribute data around squirrel monitoring.
• Understanding Science: The teaching materials and resource library found through this link are from the University of California at Berkeley and explore how science really works.
• Science Snacks: Use these hands-on, teacher-tested science activities from Exploratorium in your classroom.
• STEM Teaching Tools: These are short (usually a page) pieces that highlight ways of working on and improving teaching practices around specific issues that come up during STEM teaching.

Elementary Lessons and Resources

• AVID STEM Connections^®: AVID STEM Connections is designed for teachers at the elementary and middle school levels. It is intended to promote STEM problem-solving skills and relational capacity sensitivity through a multidisciplinary approach for students in the K–2, 3–5, and 6–8 grade bands, with the ability to modify to high school.
• Frontiers for Young Minds: This is an open-access science platform where kids engage with leading scientists in reviewing and editing research.
• Mosa Mack Science: Find free mystery challenges. This site prompts students in grades 4–8 to apply inquiry learning. They see a problem or phenomenon and try to answer a probing question. Users get one full unit for free, while additional features are paid.
• Mystery Science: Find many free lessons, videos, and digital handouts for K–5 science.
• Science Journal for Kids: Find articles that are written for students and approved by scientists. Filter by reading level, topic, and more.

Middle School Lessons and Resources

• AVID STEM Connections^®: AVID STEM Connections is designed for teachers at the elementary and middle school levels. It is intended to promote STEM problem-solving skills and relational capacity sensitivity through a multidisciplinary approach for students in the K–2, 3–5, and 6–8 grade bands, with the ability to modify to high school.
• Citizen Science: Visit Shelly Sanchez Terrell’s page on citizen science and find links to many projects.
• Frontiers for Young Minds: This is an open-access science platform where kids engage with leading scientists in reviewing and editing research.
• Mosa Mack Science: Find free mystery challenges. This site prompts students in grades 4–8 to apply inquiry learning. They see a problem or phenomenon and try to answer a probing question. Users get one full unit for free, while additional features are paid.
• PBS Kids Design Squad Global: Design Squad Global empowers middle school kids to solve real-world problems and understand the impact of engineering in a global context. The site is refreshed weekly with challenges, videos, and activities. Watch, design, build, and play games.
• Science Journal for Kids: Find articles that are written for students and approved by scientists. Filter by reading level, topic, and more.
• Zooniverse: This site focuses on citizen science and crowdsourcing science. Find citizen science projects and activities to make learning authentic. Users must be 16 or older to register, though registration is not required.

High School Lessons and Resources

• Braingenie: Explore math and science resources from CK-12. You will find courses for 6–8 science, biology, chemistry, and physics. Learn and practice with feedback. Full units and leaderboards are available.
• Citizen Science: Visit Shelly Sanchez Terrell’s page on citizen science and find links to many projects.
• Concord Consortium: Interactive STEM activities are available for physics, chemistry, engineering, Earth and space, and mathematics. The resources are for all ages.
• LabXchange: This site from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences focuses on fundamental concepts and lab techniques for biotechnology. Explore a variety of texts, simulations, videos, interactives, and assignments.
• NASA Global Climate Change – Vital Signs of the Planet: This resource provides climate change information from expert sources all in one easy place.
• Periodic Videos: Watch videos about each element on this interactive periodic table.
• PhysicsCentral: Explore physics resources, including the Physics Buzz Blog, the Discover section, Physics in Action, and more.
• ScienceDaily: Find science news and research in this online news portal.
• Zooniverse: This site focuses on citizen science and crowdsourcing science. Find citizen science projects and activities to make learning authentic. Users must be 16 or older to register, though registration is not required.