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Elementary Science

Online Resources

Author Post
Hannah Raney Hannah Raney 210 Points

Hello all,

I am a preservice teacher and was wondering what types of online resources would be beneficial for teaching elementary science. Does anyone know of websites that include science games? Are there any virtual experiments/simulations that would be engaging for elementary students?

Best,

Hannah

Flavio Mendez Flavio Mendez 55656 Points

Dear Hannah,

NSTA science objects (94 in total) have embedded simulations designed to help us better understand the science concepts we teach. You can, if desired, use the simulations in your classroom with your students where appropriate - I know teachers do this often.

Also, check PhET Simulations.

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new

Take care,

Flavio.

Jolene Pappas Jolene Pappas 495 Points

Hannah,

For biology, I have simulations available at www.biologysimulations.com. Generally, the target audience is high school, but I've tried a couple activities out on my 4th grade son and he had fun with them.

Natural Selection : Students play the part of a predator 'eating' prey that can be two different colors. The user chooses from three different environments. 

Biodiversity : Not as interactive as the natural selection one, but could be useful for introducing the concept of biodiversity. Each time the simulation is run it produces a different group of animals (randomly selecting the number of species and the population of each species).

I don't think the provided worksheets wouldn work for elementary students, but you can probably come up with something that would work for your needs. 

If you're looking for physical science options, check out PhET simulations...it may have some elementary options.

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