There are loads of great places for students to learn science online, but sometimes one of the most overlooked places are the websites of government agencies responsible for doing the research and collecting the data we use to learn more about the world. Below are 5 different websites for students, parents or teachers about everything from the environment, health and even hearing.
Environmental Protection Agency Student Center
The student aimed section of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this website carries loads of resources for students, teachers, parents and really almost anybody. Plus it supports a mobile version. Definitely worth checking out!
Run and managed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, this website features a slew of tools and resources for parents and teachers to better explain how we use energy on a daily basis, and better ways we can all cut down on our energy usage.
Not so much as an interactive online resource, instead the National Institute of General Medical Sciences offers Findings, a monthly publication dedicated to explaining the research and the lives behind the scientists working on some of the most cutting-edge biological research today. Definitely aimed for a bit of an older student population (probably junior high or high schoolers) the magazine offers educators a chance for their pupils to get some introductory looks at how science is traditionally done and reported.
Also from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, these series of booklets, pamphlets, posters, and brochures are all offered for free download (or available to be purchased already printed). The NIGMS admits that these resources are typically aimed for older students (read: high school and introductory college courses) but could still be worth pursuing by any high school biology teacher.
NIH/NIDCD It’s A Noisy Planet: Protect Their Ears
A program from the National Institutes for Health, It’s a Noisy Planet is dedicated to educating kids and adults alike about the potential dangers of noise pollution, particularly to children. They offer interactive facts, games, quizzes for all ages, not to mention they use twitter to foster live health chats, which I think is pretty cool.
Obviously there are loads of other resources out there, so stay tuned to see what else we find!