virtual-lab-resources (Open Virtual Labs & Simulations)

A curated collection of free virtual labs, simulations, and interactive tools for science, math, and social science education. Sourced from the CSI Library OER guide.

Note: Not all resources listed are strictly OER — some may be free but not openly licensed.

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📑 Table of Contents

• Multidisciplinary
• Astronomy
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Engineering & Environmental Science
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Physics
• Business & Finance
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Philosophy

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🌐 Multidisciplinary

Name	Description	Disciplines
Concord Consortium	Interactive STEM activities	Physics, Chemistry, Life Science, Earth & Space, Mathematics
EduMedia	Interactive resources for learning science	Life Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Technology, Mathematics
LabXchange	Free online platform for science education from Harvard University	Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Merlot (Hub)	Curated database of OER from multiple sources that includes virtual simulations	Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Computer Science, Engineering, Astronomy, Math & Statistics
Molecular Workbench	Standalone program for visual, interactive simulations for teaching and learning science	Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology
PBS NOVA	Interactive labs — navigate to a topic page and select "explore" in the filter box	Physics, Physiology, Space, Biology, Engineering, Earth Science
PhET	Math and science simulations from the University of Colorado, Boulder	Physics, Chemistry, Math, Earth Science, Biology

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🔭 Astronomy

Name	Description
astro-simulations	Astronomy simulations and animations by the Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning
GEAS Project Astronomy Laboratory Exercises	Astronomy education program based at New Mexico State University
SkyServer Projects	Activities using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey; includes basic, advanced, and research challenges

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🧬 Biology

General Biology

Name	Description
BioMan Biology	Learning games, review games, virtual labs and quizzes covering cells, ecology, genetics, physiology, and more
Quant Bio Online (Hub)	Modules to teach quantitative skills in biological contexts, designed for online settings
HHMI BioInteractive	Data-rich activities, case studies, videos, and interactive media connecting students to big ideas in biology
Biology Simulations	Simulations to learn biology and practice data analysis through experimentation

Anatomy & Physiology

Name	Description
eSkeletons	Interactive environment to examine skeletal anatomy through osteology database at University of Texas at Austin

Biotechnology

Name	Description
Foundational Concepts and Techniques in Biotechnology	LabXchange cluster with simulations, assignments, video, and more
Bacterial Identification Virtual Lab	Explores techniques used to identify different types of bacteria based on their DNA sequences

Epidemiology

Name	Description
ActivEpi Web	Electronic textbook for teaching epidemiology with interactive quizzes, exercises, and video
Solve the Outbreak	CDC simulation of a virus outbreak (also available on iOS and Android)

Virtual Dissection

Name	Description
Virtual Fetal Pig Dissection	Whitman College virtual dissection to explore introductory mammalian anatomy and physiology
The Whole Frog Project	Explore frog anatomy using MRI imaging data and 3D surface/volume rendering software
The Science Bank (Hub)	Portal to online dissection resources — contains links to both free and non-free resources

Virtual Microscopes

Name	Description
Molecular Expressions Virtual Microscopy	Interactive Java-powered virtual microscopes — explore specimen focus, illumination, magnification, and translation

Molecular Biology & Genetics

Name	Description
Evolved: Cases for Education Evolution	Case studies tracking trait evolution from DNA mutation to macroscopic phenotypes
StarGenetics	Mendelian genetics cross simulator developed at MIT for studying genetic experimental design
Gelbox	Simulation tool to understand how experimental parameters affect gel electrophoresis data output
Case It!	Molecular biology simulations for case-based learning — performs lab procedures on any DNA or protein sequence (Windows/MacOS)
Learn.Genetics	Interactive technique labs, online lessons in genetics, cell biology, evolution, neuroscience, and ecology

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⚗️ Chemistry

Name	Description
Chemistry Modules (CK-12)	Interactive learning modules by CK-12
ChemReaX	Chemical reaction modeling and simulation web app from ScienceBySimulation
Virtual Chemistry Experiments	Collection of interactive web-based chemistry tutorials
Mixed Reception	Solve a mysterious death by gathering clues, interviewing suspects, and analyzing evidence
The Virtual Lab	Online simulation of a chemistry lab linking chemical computations with authentic lab chemistry
Titration Screen Experiment	Allows students to run their own titration experiment — includes teacher notes
Chemistry Tutorial (Missouri S&T)	Simulated experiments and self-tests
ChemSims	Builds on PhET simulations with additional instructional materials
Nanome	VR platform to interact, experiment, and design in 3D virtual space (free subscription tier)
Chemix	Draw lab diagrams
CheMagic	Virtual molecular model kit

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🏗️ Engineering & Environmental Science

General Engineering

Name	Description
Data Nuggets	Free classroom activities co-designed by scientists and teachers to bring contemporary research and authentic data into the classroom
Open Simulation Interface	Generic interface for environmental perception of automated driving functions in virtual scenarios
SimSE	A fully graphical and interactive software engineering simulation environment
Verilator	Converts Verilog/SystemVerilog designs into a C++ or SystemC model — functions as a compiler, not traditional simulator
Flowsquare	Two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software for unsteady, non-reactive/reactive flows
GNU Radio	Software development toolkit that provides signal processing blocks to implement software radios
SciLab	Free and open source software for numerical computation for engineering and scientific applications
LogicSim	Design and simulate digital logic circuits with logic gates (AND, OR, FlipFlop, etc.)
Virtual Labs (IIT Bombay)	Models physical phenomena and carries out simulations
Reactor Lab	Interactive chemical reactor simulations for chemical reaction engineering students

Climate

Name	Description
Energy3D	Simulation-based engineering tool for designing green buildings and power stations using renewable energy
ClimateSim	Climate-change simulation app; model GHG emission scenarios and simulate the Earth system's first-order response
The Habitable Planet	Video course for high school teachers and college-level instruction, includes interactive labs
HTML5 Simulations – Climate	Experiment with climate change scenarios
American Museum of Natural History Teaching Modules	Open access modules with practical exercises in biodiversity conservation (some available in multiple languages)

Geology

Name	Description
Geology Labs On-Line	Exercises with virtual earthquake, dating, and river simulations
Physical Geology 101	Lab materials that include interactive exercises
Virtual Microscope	Full range of rock types native to Earth and beyond
Teaching Resources in Structural Geology	Resources from the University of Leeds, including virtual field trips and virtual mapping
Virtual Field Trip Guides	University of Texas collection of virtual field trips, organized by region

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📐 Mathematics & Statistics

Name	Description
Patterns in Nature	Java applets illustrating basic concepts in statistical mechanics and fractals
ICPSR Exercises	Exercises and modules for data analysis from the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research
Interactive Statistics	Statistical calculators, games, and activities
GeoGebra	Dynamic mathematics software combining geometry, algebra, spreadsheets, graphing, statistics, and calculus
Help Your Math	Free online math courses and practice exams

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⚡ Physics

Name	Description
Interactive Physics Modules (CK-12)	Interactive learning modules by CK-12
Physics Simulations	Interactive simulations
HTML5 Simulations – Physics	Experiment with physics principles such as motion and force
The Physics Classroom	Simulations, concept builders, skill-building exercises, and game-like challenges — tablet-friendly
Open Source Physics	Simulations, modeling, and curriculum tools
The Physics Aviary	Cross-platform programs to help physics students master big ideas — tons of labs
oPhysics	Collection of interactive physics simulations
Algodoo	Draw and interact with physical systems on your computer — standalone program

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💼 Business & Finance

Name	Description
AnyLogic	General-purpose multimethod simulation modeling software — standalone application

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🗳️ Political Science

Name	Description
People Power	Game about politics, strategy, and social change
Gerrymander — A Voting District Game	Game to educate and engage citizens around political redistricting and gerrymandering
Model Diplomacy	Free NSC and UN Security Council simulations presenting historical and hypothetical scenarios based on real issues

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🧠 Psychology

Name	Description
APA Online Psychology Laboratory	Interactive resources for the teaching of psychological science

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💭 Philosophy

Name	Description
Castle, Forest, Island, Sea	Choose-your-own-adventure story exploring key questions in philosophy from OpenLearn
Philosophy Games	Thought experiments with analysis
The Deviant Philosopher	Exercises and activities for applying philosophical concepts

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📌 Notes

• Hub = the resource is a collection of materials from different sources
• Some resources require free registration or specific OS (noted where applicable)
• Not all resources are strictly OER — some are free but not openly licensed

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🙏 Credits

This list was compiled from the CSI Library at CUNY College of Staten Island — Virtual Labs & Simulations OER guide, originally curated by Christina Boyle. Additional source: Simulations and Virtual Labs Guide, Colorado School of Mines.

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🤝 Contributing

Have a free virtual lab or simulation to add? Open a pull request or file an issue with:

• Resource name
• URL
• Brief description
• Discipline(s) it covers