15 Online Science Resources for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re a middle school student interested in exploring science, online resources can be a great way to learn beyond the classroom. These platforms introduce you to advanced academics, experiments, and interactive learning into a format that’s engaging, self-paced, and best of all, accessible from home! By tapping into trusted sources, you can gain subject knowledge, practical skills, exposure to science careers, and opportunities to connect with experts in the field.
There are resources designed to help you explore STEM topics, build confidence, and practice independent learning, just to mention a few. Whether it’s diving into planetary science with NASA Climate Kids or mapping ecosystems with National Geographic Education, online tools make science engaging yet accessible. The best resources for you are those that align with your personal interests, support schoolwork, and challenge you to think critically, while still being fun.
With that in mind, we have come up with a list of 15 online science resources for middle school students!
15 Online Science Resources for Middle School Students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies, financial aid available
Program dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online mentorship-based research experience meant for middle school students who want to create an academic project in a field of their choice. You can choose from various tracks, including computer science, medicine, environmental science, engineering, math, and psychology. Over eight weeks, you will work closely with a mentor (often affiliated with prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford) who will support you throughout topic exploration, research, and the project development process. As a participant, you will learn how to conduct independent investigations, think critically, and complete a project that reflects your area of interest.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open-access; participation numbers vary by activity
Dates: Year-round access; specific challenges and events have varying timelines
Application Deadline: No formal deadline; program-specific challenges may have set registration dates
Eligibility: Middle and high school students worldwide with internet access
NASA’s STEM Engagement platform offers students direct access to a curated collection of online science resources, interactive activities, and real-world challenges grounded in space exploration and Earth science. You can explore topics from astrophysics to robotics through videos, hands-on experiments, and digital learning modules designed by NASA educators and scientists. Standout opportunities include the In-Flight STEM Downlinks, where you can interact live with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, and the Surprisingly STEM video series showcasing unexpected science careers at NASA. The platform also provides facilitated learning guides, a searchable STEM resource library, and open calls for participation in national NASA challenges.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Spring: 25 hours over 10 weekends | Summer: 25 hours over 2 weekdays; exact dates vary
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program is an introduction to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. This is a beginner-friendly online science resource for middle school students new to AI. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as explore topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You will learn through lectures and group sessions in a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access; participation numbers vary by activity
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Middle school students worldwide with internet access
The American Chemical Society (ACS) offers various free online chemistry resources tailored to middle school learners, aligning with NGSS standards. Its Middle School Chemistry curriculum features lesson plans, student activity sheets, and integrated molecular animations to build a strong conceptual understanding of matter and chemical reactions. Remote learning lessons offer you access to experiments and demonstrations through videos, animations, and guided questions. These lessons are designed for both independent learning and virtual classrooms. Additional K–8 offerings, such as Adventures in Chemistry, Celebrating Chemistry, and activity books, offer interactive games, puzzles, and projects that connect chemistry to everyday life.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
Howtosmile is one of the largest and longest-running online collections of STEM activities, curated by the University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and partner institutions. Housing over 4,000 free resources from science museums, public television stations, universities, and educational organizations, the platform allows you to filter activities by subject, material costs, and learning time to suit your needs. The curated topic pages categorize activities by themes like astronomy, life sciences, climate, chemistry, and health, while at-home collections make it easy for caregivers and educators to support remote learning. The site also highlights innovative tools, such as the DIY Solar System app, which blends augmented reality with hands-on science.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access
Dates: Year-round access; live events scheduled periodically
Application Deadline: No formal deadline; register in advance for specific live sessions
Eligibility: Open to all students
National Geographic Education connects middle school students to scientists, conservationists, and explorers through Explorer Classroom, a series of live, interactive events featuring Q&A sessions with experts in fields like volcanology, herpetology, and environmental science. You can join expeditions virtually, learn about cutting-edge research, and ask questions in real time. Beyond live events, the platform’s vast library includes maps, videos, infographics, and lesson plans covering topics such as Earth science, biology, conservation, and climate change. Curated for grades Pre-K through 12, these resources combine high-quality multimedia with inquiry-based learning.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access; no fixed cohort size
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
NOVA Education, part of PBS’s acclaimed science documentary series, offers a library of online STEM resources to help you explore complex scientific concepts. Through NOVA Labs, you can engage in investigations like searching for exoplanets, modeling volcanic eruptions, or exploring environmental DNA that combine multimedia storytelling with problem-solving. The platform’s videos, articles, and interactives span topics from physics and space science to climate change and human biology. These resources are designed to work for classroom use and self-guided exploration. Resources are aligned with educational standards and often include teacher guides.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open-access resource; participation numbers vary by activity
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Open to all
NSDL is a centralized hub for STEM educational resources designed for both classrooms and informal learning. Its collection spans science, tech, engineering, and math, offering curated materials from providers like NASA, the Concord Consortium, and the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN). You can access lesson plans, interactive tools, datasets, and multimedia that align with standards and support hands-on and inquiry-based learning. The platform’s partnerships ensure diverse coverage across subjects like climate science, engineering design, biology, and math. The site offers over 10,000 resources at no cost.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Students worldwide with internet access
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) offers an online STEM resource library featuring lesson plans, projects, and multimedia content inspired by active NASA missions. You can explore planetary science, space engineering, and astrophysics through activities like mapping alien worlds, simulating spacecraft materials testing, and investigating ocean worlds in the search for extraterrestrial life. The platform includes “Teachable Moments” tied to current events in space exploration. You can find resources by grade level, subject, and time requirement.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open-access resource
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Open to all
The California Academy of Sciences brings the museum’s biodiversity, ecology, and conservation expertise directly to students through interactive and multimedia resources. You can join virtual scientific expeditions, explore “Scientist Spotlights” to meet researchers, and participate in community science projects that contribute to global biodiversity data. The site also offers themed activity packs, apps, and interactives on topics like coral reefs, penguins, and tropical rainforests, along with live webcams streaming 24/7 from exhibits such as the Steinhart Aquarium. Resources like Creature Closeups and Specimens in Focus showcase rare and fascinating organisms from the museum’s collections, providing rich context for environmental science topics.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open-access resource
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Open to all
The Smithsonian Science Education Center connects learners to the Smithsonian’s science, history, and culture through an array of online STEM resources. You can explore interactive games like Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition, read eBooks such as Stories of Women in STEM at the Smithsonian, and access curricula on sustainability, vaccines, and community health. The platform’s “Smithsonian Science for Global Goals” series integrates science learning with civic engagement, encouraging you to apply problem-solving skills to real-world issues. Additional offerings include distance learning modules, makerspace activities, and STEM stories that highlight innovation and diversity in science.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access
Dates: Year-round access; some individual projects may have specific timeframes
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Open to all
Zooniverse, a platform for citizen science, connects volunteers of all ages with professional researchers to advance real scientific and scholarly projects. From classifying wildlife photos to searching for exoplanets or transcribing historical documents, you can join projects across disciplines like astronomy, biology, climate science, and medicine. The platform hosts hundreds of ongoing investigations, each with clear tutorials, community discussion boards, and opportunities to see how your contributions feed into published research. Many projects are designed to be accessible to younger audiences, including middle school students.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open-access; participation numbers vary by activity
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Open to all
Developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET Interactive Simulations offers over 170 free, research-based simulations covering physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and mathematics. Each simulation uses a game-like interface to encourage exploration and discovery, helping you visualize and experiment with complex concepts such as energy conservation, molecular interactions, and planetary motion. The platform supports over 130 languages, includes teacher-submitted lesson plans, and offers accessibility features to ensure inclusive learning. You can run simulations directly in your browser or phone.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open-access; participation numbers vary by activity
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
NASA’s Climate Kids is an educational platform designed to explain climate science to children. With its content organized into themes like “Weather & Climate,” “Atmosphere,” “Water,” “Energy,” and “Plants & Animals,” the site offers games, videos, activities, and direct answers to big scientific questions about global climate change. You can explore topics such as the greenhouse effect, ocean health, renewable energy, and the role of plants and animals in Earth’s systems. Offering a mix of learning modes like games, activities, videos, and mystery challenges, Climate Kids can help you build environmental literacy while you also explore real NASA Earth science research.
Location: Online / Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free access to many resources; premium content available with subscription
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Open access; some resources may require free registration
Dates: Year-round access
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Open to all
Created by science educator Robert Krampf, The Happy Scientist offers an extensive online library of science videos, experiments, photos, and lesson units covering life science, earth science, chemistry, space science, and physics. With over 250 instructional videos and 1,500+ experiment pages, you can explore hands-on activities, test your knowledge with photo challenges, and follow structured “Learnalong” units that blend reading, observation, and experimentation. The site’s “Resources by Topic” feature makes it easy to find materials aligned with specific subjects, ranging from minerals and weather patterns to the solar system and chemical reactions. Designed to encourage curiosity and practical problem-solving, the platform blends visuals, text, and interactive prompts.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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