
Why use virtual labs?
Virtual labs are a great tool to try if you have computer access. I love them because:
- They are FREE! If you are tired of spending your own money on lab supplies, throw in a virtual lab instead.
- They are great for visual learners.
- If students mess up, they can start over with no pressure
- They give you a small break from stressful wet-labs
- They are a great option for absent students who missed an in-person lab
List of virtual labs for high school science
I’ve compiled a list of websites that have virtual labs. I’ll try my best to make sure all the links are up and working (non-flash), but if any are out of date please let me know!
- Phet: This website from University of Colorado has a ton of simulations. This website is especially great for physics and chemistry teachers. It even includes free downloadable handouts and worksheets you can use with the simulations.
- NMSU Virtual Labs: This site has 8 virtual labs for biology and chemistry.
- HHMI Biointeractive: This site has virtual labs that tend to be better for honors/AP students.
- Learn Genetics: University of Utah’s Learn Genetics site is great for all things genetics. They also have 4 virtual labs that deal with DNA.
- Virtual Dissections: Resources are broken down by animal
- California State University: Has a list of virtual labs broken down by content area
- Physics Labs: This site has a list of labs just for physics teachers
- Molecular Workbench: Has 100’s of simulations for all content areas
- NOVA Labs: Includes virtual labs on the sun, energy, RNA, clouds, and evolution.
- Bioman: Games and virtual labs for biology
- Tragedy of the Commons Lab
- Evolution Virtual Labs: from NOVA
- Blood Typing: In this virtual lab students learn how blood typing works and they need to select which types of blood can be used in a transfusion. (This is currently FLASH but they said it’s getting an update soon!)
- Chemistry Simulations: From Oneonta University
- Virtual Titration: Great titration practice before doing the real thing in your chemistry class.
- CK-12: Has chemistry and physics simulations.
- Cell Homeostasis osmosis lab
- Lab Safety Interactive
- Virtual Biology Labs- labs for ecology, evolution, and cells
- JavaLab- This site has tons of simulations sorted by topic. It’s got some great stuff!
- Research Quest– Not your average virtual lab, these multi-step investigations from the Natural History Museum of Utah are pretty amazing. There are investigations for food chains/ecosystems and fossils.
- John Darkow Sims- This website is created by a teacher who has non-flash simulations! (Most are biology)
- OLABS- Online labs for schools has a bunch of simulations to choose from for all science content areas! (Once you click on the topic you are looking for, you need to click on the “simulation” tab).
- Virtual Science Teachers: These aren’t all necessarily labs, but virtual interactives for a variety of different topics broken down by content area.
- Explerify: If you teach physics, you might want to check out this site that has simulations similar to PHET.
Happy (virtual) lab day!
Rock on,
