Content update: New science resources!

We’re excited to share that we have brand-new science resources for elementary, middle, and high school students that are now available on Khan Academy!

5th grade hands-on science activities

For the first time, Khan Academy Science is extending into elementary school! Through these hands-on science activities, students don’t just learn about science—they do science. These three activities invite 5th graders to build models, play collaborative games, collect data, and explain real-world phenomena, from how energy moves through food chains to how Earth’s major systems interact. Each activity includes ready-to-use student and teacher guides and uses simple, accessible materials.

Middle school hands-on biology activities

We’ve also added SIX all-new hands-on science activities for middle school biology! Students investigate anchoring phenomena, analyze data, build models, and engage in authentic science practices, exploring real-world questions from the causes of harmful algal blooms to why whales have hip bones. 

All hands-on activities can be found in our hands-on science activities course.

Paired PhET articles and exercises

Our middle school science courses now feature interactive simulation-based articles paired with exercises. In the articles, students explore embedded simulations to build understanding. In the exercises, they apply what they learned through structured challenges. Students can model shifting trait frequencies across generations, investigate infrared radiation interacting with greenhouse gases, explore heat capacity, or analyze energy transferring as a skater moves, all in a guided, classroom-ready format.

Biology: 

Article: Explore natural selection

Exercise: PhET challenge: Natural selection

Chemistry:

Article: Heat capacity

Exercise: PhET challenge: Heat capacity

Earth and space science:

Article: Explore climate change

Exercise: PhET challenge: Climate change

Physics

Article: Conservation of energy

Exercise PhET challenge: Conservation of energy

Middle school biology and chemistry NGSS unit guides

We’ve launched comprehensive unit guides to support teachers implementing KA biology and chemistry. With lesson overviews, essential questions, NGSS alignment, teaching tips, and misconception support, these guides are built around compelling phenomena, from how changes in tick, mouse, and deer populations influence the spread of Lyme disease to how phytoplankton produce so much of Earth’s oxygen. Designed to make rigorous, three-dimensional instruction easier and more actionable.

Middle School biology NGSS unit guides

Middle School chemistry NGSS unit guides

Khanmigo science activities

We’ve added THREE Khanmigo-guided science review experiences! These activities prompt students to learn and practice vocabulary related to biomolecules and ecological interactions as well as to strengthen core science skills (such as scientific notation), with structured feedback.

Khanmigo activities can be found in Khanmigo learner activities under Science.

We can’t wait to see students investigating, modeling, and making sense of the world around them through these resources and activities.

Happy learning!