Science
Science extends beyond classrooms and laboratories; it surrounds us always. Students of biology, chemistry, physics, and the other scientific disciplines can apply their knowledge to their everyday lives, understanding the world around them and asking the questions needed to learn more. The Internet has a vast number of resources that can teach you the basics of science, help you gain a stronger grasp of scientific concepts, and inform you of the latest advances in our knowledge of the world.
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Expand All Guide SectionsFundamentals of Science
Has it been a while since that chemistry class you took in high school? Looking for a site that ... read more »
Science for Students
Struggling with science homework? The Internet is full of information and advice that you can't ... read more »
Resources for Science Teachers
Students aren't the only ones who'll find helpful resources on the Web. Teachers too can avail ... read more »
Science News
The world of modern science is fast moving, boundary pushing, and sometimes just downright bizarre. These sites will help you keep up with the latest scientific discoveries and learn what could be in store for the future.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Take note of whether a science journal is "peer-reviewed." Peer-reviewed journals are evaluated by experts in their fields to ensure credibility and accuracy. Articles in these journals are intended for readers who are very knowledgeable in the field of science, whereas articles in non-peer-reviewed journals are intended for the general public.
- Most of these sites, even if much of the content is accessible only to paying subscribers or members, offer a free e-newsletter that you can sign up for if you'd like to have the latest headlines delivered to your inbox on a regular basis.
Dulcinea's Picks
For peer-reviewed journals ...
Nature
is a prestigious science journal covering a wide variety of science topics. Its Web site has an archive of articles dating back to 1997, many of which include supplementary material that was cut out of the print edition. Unfortunately, much of the most informative content requires an expensive subscription. News, columns, and blogs are available for free.
American Scientist
is a bi-monthly magazine featuring articles written by scientists and engineers. Articles from its current issue are available online for free, while its archived articles are available to paid subscribers and member of the Sigma Xi research society. It also has several online-only features, including articles, interviews, trivia, and a "Site of the Week" link.
Physics World
is a monthly journal produced by the Institute of Physics that includes coverage of the latest scientific developments, feature articles from top physicists, interviews, and book reviews. Its content is available online for free, though some of it requires that you register with the site.
ActionBioscience.org
consists of articles from scientists, educators, and students on seven clearly defined divisions of biology. Each article is preceded by "article highlights," and is followed by links to learn more or get involved. The articles on this site are aimed at a more general audience than that of a typical peer-reviewed journal. If you're a teacher, make sure you check out the "Educator Resources" section as well, where you'll find lesson plans to accompany the article.
For non-peer-reviewed journals and magazines ...
Scientific American
, the oldest continuously running American magazine, is geared toward a general audience who wants to follow the goings-on of the science world. This site features articles from the current issue, blogs, video, and news. Access to its archives is available through a paid subscription.
PopSci.com
, Popular Science magazine's Web site, covers science and technology in the context of popular culture. It focuses on scientists and their inventions, with little coverage of the technical aspects of science. Its Web site features articles from the monthly magazine, an extensive free archive, blogs, and the "PopSci Predictions Exchange," which allows users to virtually "wager" on the future of science and can be reached by clicking on the "PPX" button on the left of the page.
ScienceDaily
is a free online magazine covering the latest news on research and developments. The site is well organized, with many topics and sub-topics to help you quickly find the news you want. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll find the day's or the week's summary of the latest news.
New Scientist
is a popular magazine covering the world of science with news articles, blogs, and special reports. Longer articles from the print magazine are available only through paid subscription, though there is a free preview of each article. On the lighter side, click on "Last Word" for a Q&A, humorous anecdotes, and "Soundbites."
FirstScience
is an online magazine with coverage of important developments and general science news. It aims to provide content accessible to a large audience, with clearly written articles and a wide range of topics. "Scienced" out? Head to the "Poems & Quotes" section.
For television and radio sources ...
The Discovery Channel
's Science Channel has pages covering its television series and documentaries, including Carl Sagan's famous Cosmos series, which review the material and provide further information. They also contain video clips, previews of the show, and material not aired on television. In the "Eye Candy" section you can view 15 of NASA's best photos, and vote on your favorite.
PBS
's NOVA documentary series has been covering the world of science since 1974. The Web site features overviews of the concepts, interviews, transcripts, and video previews of all the broadcasts.
The BBC
's Science & Nature page contains online companions for its television programs with articles, follow-ups, interactive features, and podcasts.
National Public Radio
's Health & Science page features articles and radio clips from its broadcast. It has a large archive that is easily searchable through the subject guides on the left-hand navigation bar.
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