As science teachers prepare to go back to school for the upcoming school year, some have already returned, always looking for good online resources to supplement their lessons. It’s always nice when someone helps you by previewing science websites and making recommendations.

The best science education websites are interactive, allowing students to make changes or manipulate variables to see what is happening and share it with others. This falls within the bounds of inquiry-based teaching and learning. Students are conducting their own experiments, observing the results, and reporting their findings.

The following websites have been previewed and meet the criteria for interactive and query-based:

free software website – is designed to be compatible with Full Option Science System (FOSS) K-8 Science Kits, but anyone can use the interactive activities for grades K-8.

volcano chambers – provides real-time views of volcanoes around the world. Students can observe volcanoes and conduct their own experiments using these virtual cameras for grades 5-12.

Explore eLearning – provides simulators for all areas of science concepts for grades 3-12.

Current flow data in real time throughout the country – by the US Geological Survey (USGS) provides real-time data that is typically recorded at 15 to 60 minute intervals and transmitted to US Geological Survey offices every four hours. Data can be selected by state and county for grades 8-12.

Water quality data in real time throughout the country-by the US Geological Survey (USGS) provides real-time water quality data that is returned directly to field instruments. The data is updated at intervals of five minutes to an hour. Data can be selected by state and county for grades 8-12.

design a roller coaster – allows students to design their own roller coaster. They are building a concept roller coaster using the same physics concepts used to design real roller coasters for grades 6-12.

human anatomy online – allows students to explore human anatomy. Each topic has animations, hundreds of graphics, and thousands of descriptive links, for grades 4-12.

Crossing of terrestrial and atmospheric children – allows students to explore water, atmosphere, and climate for grades 3 – 8.

recycled city – allows students to explore many ways to look at how residents of a city recycle, reduce, and reuse waste for grades 3-8.

Net GBM – allows students to explore biomes, freshwater systems, and marine systems of the world for grades 6-12.