In today’s post, I am sharing with you this collection of science apps for high school students. From the far reaches of outer space to the minute wonders of the human body, these apps transform phones and tablets into powerful learning tools, making science both comprehensible and captivating. Whether you’re a high school student, a dedicated educator, or a lifelong learner, the apps listed in this post are curated to enrich your understanding of the vast realm of science.
Science Apps for High School
Here are some of our favourite science apps for high school:
1. Khan Academy (iOS & Android)
Khan Academy offers a comprehensive learning platform that turns your device into a classroom of endless possibilities. Offering a wide array of subjects from statistics to the intricacies of the Krebs cycle, and from geometry to the formation of Australia through fire-stick farming, this app caters to learners from all walks of life.
Khan Academy features a wide variety of educational content including interactive exercises, videos, articles, guides, and many more. The app also provides a personalized learning experience with tailored recommendations, allowing you to pick up where you left off and continue your educational journey at your own pace.
Its offline functionality ensures that your learning never hits a pause. While it may not encompass all the features of the Khan Academy website, it remains a powerful tool for anyone with a thirst for knowledge.
2. NASA ( iOS & Android)
The NASA App is your personal gateway to the cosmos, offering an immersive experience that brings space exploration right to your fingertips. This redesigned app provides unrestricted access to NASA+, a treasure trove of live coverage, and on-demand video series straight from the space agency, no subscription required.
Keep abreast with the latest on Artemis, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other thrilling NASA missions. The app is an auditory delight too, featuring podcasts that take you on a galactic journey without leaving Earth.
Delve into NASA’s groundbreaking discoveries in science, technology, and the universe, and even set alerts for the International Space Station’s flyovers. With augmented reality features, the app allows you to experience the marvels of space in a more interactive and engaging way.
3. LeafSnap (iOS & Android)
Embark on a botanical adventure with LeafSnap, where every plant and flower becomes a living encyclopedia entry waiting to be discovered. This app is a boon for nature enthusiasts and curious souls alike, turning every walk into an educational exploration.
With the ability to recognize 90% of all known plant species, LeafSnap is like having a botanist in your pocket. Its simple interface allows you to take a snapshot and instantly identify plants, flowers, fruits, and trees, accompanied by stunning images and information from around the globe.
Beyond identification, LeafSnap is your personal garden assistant, offering care reminders for your plant collection, tracking your tasks, and even providing a platform to journal your botanical journey. With its extensive plant database, constant learning, and user-friendly design, LeafSnap transforms the way you interact with nature, making every outdoor moment a learning opportunity.
4. Earth Hero (iOS & Android)
In the wake of climate change and rapid species loss, Earth Hero emerges as a clarion call for collective, impactful action. This platform is a community of change-makers dedicated to addressing the pressing issues of global warming and rapid extinction. Earth Hero empowers you to take concrete steps in areas like travel, food, energy, and advocacy, making sustainable living accessible and achievable.
The app encourages a collective effort, offering a carbon tracker to monitor your progress and compare it with science-based recommendations. With personalized actions, green goal setting, and a platform to share your journey, Earth Hero transforms the daunting task of addressing climate change into a series of manageable, meaningful actions.
5. Solar System Scope (iOS & Android)
Solar System Scope is your personal astronomical observatory, packed in a user-friendly app. This celestial simulator brings the universe to your fingertips and does so in a visually stunning and educational manner.
Whether you’re a space enthusiast, a teacher, or a curious learner, Solar System Scope caters to all, offering a detailed 3D encyclopedia of the cosmos. Explore fascinating facts about planets, moons, and more, all complemented by realistic 3D visualizations. The app doesn’t stop at visual splendor; it’s also a robust scientific tool, with calculations based on NASA’s data, allowing you to simulate celestial positions at any given time.
6. SkyView (iOS & Android)
SkyView is a stargazer’s dream come true, transforming your device into a pocket-sized planetarium. Aim your device at the night sky, and this app reveals the universe’s hidden treasures, from galaxies and stars to constellations and the wandering paths of planets.
Even elusive satellites like the ISS and Hubble come into clear view. SkyView doesn’t just identify celestial bodies; it immerses you in the cosmic dance, with features like sighting alerts for celestial events and a night mode to preserve your stargazing vision.
The app’s augmented reality (AR) capabilities meld the sky’s distant wonders with your immediate surroundings, offering a breathtaking and educational skywatching experience. With features like time travel to view the sky from different dates and times, and the ability to share celestial snapshots, SkyView is your personal observatory, capturing the universe’s grandeur in the palm of your hand.
7. The Human Body by TinyBop (iOS & Android)
The Human Body by TinyBop is an interactive odyssey into the workings of the human anatomy. This app transforms complex biological concepts into an engaging, hands-on experience, allowing users to explore and interact with a detailed model of the human body.
Each system, from the beating heart to the gurgling guts and breathing lungs, is brought to life with intuitive design and engaging sound effects. It’s a tool that not only educates but also delights, turning the intricacies of the human body into a playground of discovery. With multilingual support and a focus on safe, intuitive learning, it’s like having a biology lab at your fingertips.
8. WolframAlpha (iOS & Android)
WolframAlpha is a powerhouse of knowledge and computational intelligence. Renowned for its prowess in mathematics and physics, it’s also a master across a spectrum of subjects including chemistry, biology, engineering, economics, and astronomy.
The app’s step-by-step solutions guide you through complex problems, offering hints and intermediate steps to enhance understanding. Its camera feature brings a new dimension to learning, allowing you to snap a photo of a problem and receive solutions and explanations.
With the most extensive topic coverage available and continually expanding, WolframAlpha is like having a personal tutor in your pocket, ensuring that whether you’re prepping for an exam or quenching your curiosity, you have the best tools at your disposal.
9. Earth Now (iOS & Android)
NASA’s Earth Now is an invitation to view our planet through the lens of the latest Earth science satellite data. This app offers a real-time, 3D visualization of Earth’s climate, presenting vital environmental conditions such as surface air temperature, atmospheric gases, and sea level variations.
With its intuitive interface, you can effortlessly rotate and zoom in on the Earth model, exploring the delicate balance of our planet’s climate systems. The color-coded legends and “false color” maps provide a clear depiction of the strength or weakness of various environmental conditions.
10. iNaturalist (iOS & Android)
iNaturalist is a must-have app for biology students and nature enthusiasts. This app connects you with a community of over a million scientists and naturalists. By sharing photos of biodiversity, students can contribute to important scientific research while learning more about the natural world.
The app helps identify the plants and animals around you, creating a personal observation log and contributing to a global record of biodiversity. It’s a great way to learn about the environment while contributing to science.
11. Anatomy & Physiology by Visible Body (iOS & Android)
Anatomy & Physiology by Visible Body is an incredibly detailed and interactive guide to the human body. The app offers stunning 3D models, interactive animations, and comprehensive text to help students explore the various systems of the body.
It’s an invaluable tool for students in biology or health sciences, providing a detailed look at the structure and function of the human body, with quizzes and learning tools to reinforce understanding.
Final thoughts
The science apps we covered in this post offer an interactive and immersive learning experience, catering to the diverse learning styles and needs of high school students. In a world where the boundaries of the classroom are increasingly expanding into the digital realm, these apps prove to be not just tools for learning; they are windows to a world of discovery, beckoning students to explore, question, and understand the marvels of science.
