Links with an * are available for free or subscribed by Scholar for you!
This resource page is designed to support K-8 educators in delivering high-quality, inquiry-based science instruction. Whether you are looking for full lesson plans, digital simulations, or hands-on experiments, use the categories below to find the tools you need.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): Access the standards, appendices, and the "Evidence Statements" to understand what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.
NSTA (National Science Teaching Association): A premier source for science pedagogy, including the "Daily Do" lesson starters and peer-reviewed journals.
Phenomena for NGSS: A curated collection of natural phenomena (videos and images) to drive student inquiry and anchor your science units.
Mystery Science: Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science. Excellent for young learners with short attention spans and high curiosity.
PBS LearningMedia (Early Science): Interactive videos and games featuring familiar characters to introduce basic concepts of weather, plants, and animals.
Science Buddies: A vast library of project ideas and lesson plans that focus on the scientific method and engineering design process.
NASA STEM Engagement: Activities specifically designed for upper elementary students to explore space exploration and earth systems.
OpenSciEd: High-quality, open-source science instructional materials designed specifically for the middle school NGSS classroom.
Inquiry in Action (ACS): Free chemistry-based activities from the American Chemical Society tailored for middle school physical science standards.
HHMI BioInteractive: High-quality videos, animations, and virtual labs focusing on genetics, evolution, and ecosystems.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: K-12 curricula focused on birds to teach biology, conservation, and citizen science.
PhET Interactive Simulations: Research-based simulations for physics and chemistry. Students can manipulate variables to see real-time results in forces, motion, and energy.
NOAA Education: Resources for teaching about weather, climate, and oceans, including real-time data sets.
USGS Education: Maps, satellite imagery, and lesson plans regarding geology, plate tectonics, and natural hazards.
TeachEngineering: A digital library collection of standards-aligned K-12 engineering lessons and hands-on activities.
Exploratorium Science Snacks: Low-cost, teacher-tested activities that bring museum-quality exhibits into the classroom using everyday materials.
Gizmos (ExploreLearning): Interactive math and science simulations for grades 3-12 that allow for deep conceptual "what-if" questioning.
CK-12 Foundation: Customizable digital textbooks (FlexBooks) and adaptive practice tools for various science disciplines.
Edutopia Science: Articles and videos showcasing innovative science teaching strategies and classroom management for lab environments.
STEM Teaching Tools: Short "Practice Briefs" that address common challenges in science education, such as supporting English Language Learners or integrating indigenous knowledge.
Next Gen Science Assessment (NGSA): A portal providing tasks designed to measure the three-dimensional learning of the NGSS.
Stanford NGSS Assessment Project (SNAP): High-quality performance assessment tasks that require students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
For additional support or to schedule a classroom observation/co-teaching session, please contact your Instructional Coach