Science websites

This section contains links to websites and online tools that provide learning and teaching support for science teachers.

Digital learning in science

australianscreen is developed in partnership with the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) by Curriculum Corporation through The Le@rning Federation. The site brings together material from the vast collections of the NFSA, the National Archives of Australia, the ABC, SBS, and AIATSIS in a unique collaboration.

BBC Learning - provides an extensive array of digital resources to support the Science classroom.

Science and Mathematics Specialist Centres

Science and Mathematics Specialist Centres enable students to see the relevance of science and mathematics to their lives – academically, career-wise and for active citizenship. For more information, see: Science and Mathematics Specialist Centres

School excursion programs

Marine Discovery Centre - an educational facility that includes a visitor's aquarium, student laboratory, classroom and resource room.

Melbourne Aquarium - offers education programs for primary through to senior secondary level students, comprehensive teacher resources, student interactive activities and the opportunity for secondary students to undertake work experience.

Museum Victoria - offers education programs, resources and experiences. The Mind and Body and Science and Life galleries are particularly useful for the learning and teaching of science.

Natural Resources Conservation League of Victoria - advocates sustainable management of forest ecosystems and provides environmental education.

Royal Botanic Gardens - utilises the natural and cultural resources of both the Melbourne and Cranbourne sites to provide learning opportunities for primary and secondary students.

Scienceworks and the Melbourne Planetarium - offers hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, school programs, tours, activities and shows that enable students and teachers to explore science and technology.

Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSEEC) - promotes the learning of science by providing engaging, hands-on activities for students and teachers.

Zoos Victoria - oversees three zoos in the state. The Zoo education service offers programs on all aspects of animal biology including structure and function, adaptation, habitat, conservation.

School incursion/excursion programs

Amphibian Research Centre (ARC) - encourages students to learn about frogs practically. Excursion programs that can be coupled with a Melbourne Water visit are offered.

CERES Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies - offers programs and can design programs to suit schools' specific needs.

CSIRO Science Education Centre (CSIROSEC) - Australia's national science agency. The Victorian website provides information on school programs, educational events, and the Melbourne CSIRO Science Education Centre.

Discovery Centre Bendigo - focuses on science and technology and offers assistance to teachers in excursion planning and curriculum-related workshops.

Questacon - Australia’s National Science and Technology centre. It has online resources for both teachers and students and conducts an annual outreach program.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) - provides hands-on opportunities for students to learn about animal biology and welfare

Education websites

Australian Stem Cell Channel - supported by the Victorian Government, this site utilises interactive media to describe diseases that are targets for stem cell research and offers footage of microscopic procedures.

Kitchen Chemistry - provides interactive activities for both a virtual and physical kitchen.

International Chemistry Quiz (ANCQ) - The Quiz is a unique chemical education activity. It provides a major focus for secondary school students on the relevance of chemistry in an exciting way.

Earth Science Literacy Initiative – this short resource developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science provides an overview of the big ideas in Earth Science.

Geoscience Australia (GA) - offers a wide range of downloadable education resources and offers publications, maps, models and education kits for sale.

Visible Earth - this searchable directory from NASA contains many images of the Earth from space.

Volcano World - includes a list of currently active volcanos and an emergency eruption simulation game, plus other information resources and activities for students.

World-Wide Earthquake Locator - aims to provide up-to-date information and detailed dynamic maps of earthquakes across the world. This website also includes a database of past earthquakes, an animation of the past month's earthquakes and statistical earthquake prediction.

Catalyst - interactive website focusing on stories featured on the ABC Catalyst program, from scientific breakthroughs, issues, and how scientists work in the field.

Nova - the Australian Academy of Science publishes this website which examines topical science issues. The material is suitable for secondary students and teachers.

Australian Antarctic Division - offers a range of information and educational resources about the Antarctic for teachers and the general public.

ABC Science - an excellent resource for both teachers and students covering science news, controversial topics, science information and more.

Bureau of Meteorology - offers a wide range of educational resources including lesson plans, brochures and information about weather phenomena and the availability of weather kits. If you live in regional or rural Australia, regional offices welcome school visits, subject to the availability of staff and operational requirements.

Clean Up Australia – provides information on Clean Up Australia Day, environmental campaigns and resources.

CSIRO - offers science programs and resources for schools, special events around Australia and a range of at-home science for all ages.

Encyclopedia of Australian Science - Provides a register of the people and the many industries, corporations, research institutions, scientific societies and other organisations that have contributed to Australia's scientific, technological and medical heritage.

EPA Victoria School Resources - offers a range of free resources to support schools in teaching and learning about environmental issues.

Newton's Apple - this is an American family science program hosted by public television (the equivalent of Australia’s ABC). The website describes scientific demonstrations and also provides science quizzes.

Science Image - is an image library specialising in science and nature images. Images are readily downloadable.

The Exploratorium - from the world-renowned San Francisco Exploratorium, the site provides information for students, often supported by animations and interactive activities.

The Mad Scientists Network - provides a global archive of recently asked questions and lists answers provided by correspondents from around the world. The Mad Scientists' Network also has a library with links to a wide range of science fields.

Science, Optics & You! - contains activities and information about lenses, light and optics.

Leonardo da Vinci - from the Museum of Science in Boston, this website explores the life and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, including the simple machines found in many of his designs.

Secrets of Lost Empires - explores the simple machines used by several ancient cultures in their building and construction works.

Skateboard Science - gives you the science behind those skating tricksters.

Hubble Telescope - contains news, information and educational resources about this major project.

Imagine the Universe - this NASA site has extensive information about the universe, planets, stars and astronomical facts.

NASA Education - a comprehensive index to NASA's extensive resources for teachers.