Content update: New biology resources—simulation-based exercises, hands-on activities, and unit guides!

Khan Academy’s science team is excited to announce three new sets of biology resources: simulation-based exercises, hands-on activities, and teacher-facing unit guides.

Simulation-based exercises

Get ready to explore a brand-new type of learning experience on Khan Academy: simulation-based exercises! These exercises are designed to deepen understanding of key concepts in biology through the use of simulations, which bring dynamic processes to life. By interacting with simulations and tackling a series of practice questions, learners will gain a thorough grasp of topics such as gene expression, natural selection, the greenhouse effect, and more

Key features:

• Opportunities to engage and explore: Interacting with science simulations allows learners to explore and experiment with complex topics in a virtual environment. By doing our simulation-based exercises, learners will deepen their understanding of biology topics covered in Khan Academy’s videos, articles, and exercises.
• Embedded simulations: Students can interact freely with embedded simulations as they answer the related questions, allowing for a seamless integration of simulations into any classroom.
• Aligned to standards: Each activity is aligned to either the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or the AP Biology CED.
• Phenomenon-based: Each set of questions is anchored in a relevant, engaging real-world context.

Explore our simulation-based exercises for high school biology and AP biology, now!

Hands-on activities

While you’re at it, check out our new free, high school biology hands-on activities! These engaging and rigorous lessons can be used by anyone, anywhere. With these activities, students will conduct investigations, develop models, analyze data, and much more. Each activity is anchored in a real-world phenomenon and includes student and teacher guides for easy implementation. Students will have fun doing science, thinking creatively, and learning about the world around them!

Key features:

• Science practices in action: With our activities, learners will conduct investigations, develop models, analyze data, and much more.
• Step-by-step guidance: Each activity includes student and teacher guides for easy implementation.
• Accessible anywhere: Whether in a classroom setting or at home, these activities are crafted to use readily available materials, and be accessible wherever you are.
• Aligned to standards: Each activity is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards SEPs, DCIs, and CCCs.
• Phenomenon-based: Each activity is anchored in a real-world biological context. Learners will explore questions such as “Why do animals often prefer to eat ripe fruit?” and “How does biodiversity vary in my community?”
• Support for teachers: Our teacher guides provide implementation ideas, guidance for common misconceptions, and differentiation tips.

Explore our high school biology hands-on activities, now!

Unit guides

Calling all biology teachers! Let Khan Academy supercharge your classroom with our new high school biology unit guides. Each guide is a wealth of knowledge for implementing Khan Academy’s high school biology course in their classrooms. Developed by learning experts, each guide includes student misconceptions, detailed phenomena, teaching strategies, and step-by-step suggestions to help you support student success.

Key features:

• Help with Khan Academy classroom implementation: Our unit guides provide a detailed overview of what our high school biology course has to offer. With lesson overviews, resource summaries, essential questions, and learning objectives, our guides provide exactly what teachers need to implement Khan Academy high school biology in their classrooms.
• Actionable teaching tips: Our unit guides provide teaching tips to ensure a multi-dimensional approach to biology education, encouraging deep understanding and engagement through various learning strategies. Our teaching tips include a variety of activities, strategies, and discussion topics.
• Standards alignment: Our unit guides describe how Khan Academy’s high school biology course is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Guides include descriptions of aligned PEs, DCIs, SEPs, and CCCs, and strategies for implementing SEPs and CCCs throughout the unit.
• Detailed phenomena: Each guide includes phenomena—real-world contexts in which to anchor the unit’s lessons. Our guides provide background information on the science underlying each phenomenon, along with tips for integrating the phenomenon into lessons.
• Help with addressing misconceptions: Our guides provide comprehensive descriptions of common misconceptions, and strategies for how to address them in the classroom.

Explore our high school biology unit guides, now!

Whether you're a high school student, a lifelong learner, or a biology teacher, our new resources have something for everyone. Join us at Khan Academy and ignite your passion for science. Let's make learning exciting!

Wieteke and Megan