8 Free Biology / Life Science Resources for Middle / High School Teachers
- olivershearman
- Oct 15
- 7 min read
I make a lot of quality resources for middle and high school science teachers. I provide great value, honest resources and a huge variety of topics. Yet, I don't just sell resources to other teachers, I also provide a significant quantity of free resources to give back to others and support the community where I can. I am trying to make this a career rather than a side hustle to support my family, but it isn't easy and it is not happening rapidly.
Still, I hope these free middle / high school biology / life science resources will help your teaching and learning.
Before I launch into the free resources, let me take a moment to do a brief plug for my Genetics unit which covers an incredible amount of content and wonderful activities for genetic related learning.
A quick connection and great offer since it is 100% free to check out would be The Teaching Astrophysicist Catalogue which has now something like 17000 items on offer through individual resources, units, bundles of various kinds. If you are any kind of science teacher in either middle or high school then this is for you.
Okay, so now the free stuff that should help middle and high school biology / life science teachers. Please enjoy!
Exploring where dead things go turns a big question into clear life science learning about decomposers, nutrient cycles, and soil formation for grades 5 to 10 (maybe even 11 & 12). A two level set of reading passages with questions lets every student access the ideas at the right depth: the higher level passage supports learning about how fungi, bacteria, and detritivores break complex molecules into carbon and nitrogen that plants can reuse, with simple data on temperature and moisture effects, while the accessible passage explains humus, composting, and food web roles in friendly language. Each passage includes an engaging image and scaffolded questions that move from recall to cause and effect to evidence based explanations. This flexible resource supports ecology units, sustainability projects, and everyday connections like garden soil and school compost bins, building science literacy and critical thinking while making the invisible work of decomposition visible and memorable.
This tiered approach - offering two sets of guiding reading and questions tailored to each text - builds foundational skills in reading, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry, so you can use the right one for you. Through such structured resources, students develop a deeper appreciation for the processes that create and preserve this incredible natural phenomenon, and gain the scientific literacy necessary to make informed decisions.
Elevate your life‑science curriculum with my ready‑to‑use Insect Research Project Template, a downloadable, editable resource that empowers middle school science and high school biology classes to explore entomology through authentic STEM inquiry. The template guides students to craft a concise one‑paragraph summary, analyze real insect data in the mathematics connection, and apply design‑thinking in the engineering or technology link, while a focused five‑term glossary cements essential vocabulary for exam success. Differentiated learning is built in: alongside three core inquiry questions you receive two extra sets of three - one simplified for younger learners and one rigorous for advanced students - allowing effortless swaps to match any grade band or IEP. A spacious creative item zone encourages art, model building, or multimedia presentations that showcase deeper understanding. Assessment is streamlined with a transparent 20‑point rubric that supports self‑, peer‑, or teacher scoring, and you’ll roll out the project with confidence thanks to detailed implementation guidance that includes pacing tips, sample answers, and extension ideas. Science teachers who grab this free insect project template gain a classroom‑proven, standards‑aligned tool that boosts engagement, strengthens cross‑curricular skills, and delivers measurable learning outcomes every time it is assigned.
Studying extreme adaptations captivates students while building real understanding of how organisms survive in desert heat, deep ocean pressure, polar cold, and low oxygen environments, making it perfect for middle and high school life science. This flexible resource uses a high engagement mix of Two Truths and a Lie and 10 Fascinating Facts to turn curiosity into evidence based reasoning, as learners compare claims, test ideas, and discuss why certain traits give survival advantages. The package includes a 5 slide student ready Google Slides activity with 10 facts and 5 lies, a 12 slide presentation for showcasing 10 Strange But True Facts, and a 6 page printable PDF set with keys and mix and match versions, so it fits stations, bell work, or full class discussion with minimal prep. With a total of 20 facts and 5 carefully crafted lies presented across multiple formats, students practice distinguishing accurate science from believable misconceptions, strengthening critical thinking, vocabulary, and retention while exploring remarkable examples from extremophiles to high speed predators.
Learning about asexual reproduction is important because it reveals how many organisms reproduce efficiently without a mate, aiding rapid population growth in stable environments. Studying this process enhances our understanding of genetic diversity, evolutionary adaptation, and survival strategies, with practical applications in agriculture, medicine, and conservation, such as improving crop yields, combating pathogens, and preserving species. So with that in mind, this teaching resource will help and has got you covered.
This asexual reproduction science research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about the topic of asexual reproduction. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this asexual reproduction science research project template (webquest) with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
Understanding and studying insects is crucial for middle and high school students in science because insects play vital roles in ecosystems, such as pollination, decomposition, and serving as a food source for other animals. They are also important in understanding biodiversity, the balance of ecosystems, and the impact of human activities on the environment. Studying insects helps students develop critical thinking and observation skills, as well as an appreciation for the interconnectedness of life on Earth. Additionally, learning about insects can spark interest in broader biological and environmental sciences, fostering future scientific curiosity and careers. With all this in mind, let's engage with this teaching resource.
This insects article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about insects. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this insects article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
Animals have incredible adaptations to their environment from blubber (fat for winter), to webbed feet for swimming or even behavioural adaptations can be quite an enlightening discovery. So with that in mind, this teaching resource will help and has got you covered.
This research project template provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an project template with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. It gives a rich and supportive framework that can be tweaked as needed for students to support differentiation.
Learning about asexual reproduction is important because it reveals how many organisms reproduce efficiently without a mate, aiding rapid population growth in stable environments. Studying this process enhances our understanding of genetic diversity, evolutionary adaptation, and survival strategies, with practical applications in agriculture, medicine, and conservation, such as improving crop yields, combating pathogens, and preserving species. With this in mind, let's engage with this excellent teaching resource!
This asexual reproduction article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about asexual reproduction. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this asexual reproduction article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. Ideal for review sessions, homework, or independent work, it helps reinforce key topics while promoting reading comprehension in science. This ready-to-use resource is perfect for last-minute lesson plans, sub plans, or as an easy extension activity.
Animals have incredible adaptations to their environment from blubber (fat for winter), to webbed feet for swimming or even behavioural adaptations can be quite an enlightening discovery. So with that in mind, this teaching resource will help and has got you covered.
This animal adaptations science article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about animal adaptations. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this animal adaptations article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
I hope that these resources will help you in your biology middle school and high school biology learning and teaching. I wish you all much success and thank you for putting your trust in me. If you like my work, then please do consider purchasing some of my many, many other resources!
Thanks for reading
Cheers and stay curious
Oliver - The Teaching Astrophysicist
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