Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

NOVA Labs

pbs.org

Free plan Web
Visit pbs.org
Spec score 7.4 #16 of 24 in Biology Learning Software

What it is

NOVA Labs is a free web platform for teens and lifelong learners who want to explore science through games, interactive activities, videos, and scientific data. Its Labs cover financial decision-making, exoplanets, climate, evolution, cybersecurity, RNA, clouds, renewable energy, and the Sun. Activities let participants visualize, analyze, and share data used in scientific investigations and in designing solutions to current problems. Each Lab includes videos that explain key concepts and accompany a research challenge. The Cybersecurity Lab includes challenges about cracking passwords, crafting code, and stopping malicious hackers. The RNA Lab offers folding puzzles and directs users to Eterna for designing RNA molecules. The Sun Lab provides data, images, and tools used to predict solar storms. Accounts let users save and track progress through videos, questions, and game goals. Educators receive Lab-specific guides, materials, and teen opportunity and career resources. NOVA Labs can be used in classrooms, after-school programs, day camps, and other educational programs. Biology simulations, assessment tools, and teacher tools are listed.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NOVA Labs is a free digital platform with games and interactive activities for teens and lifelong learners to explore science.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Audience
The site describes its audience as teens and lifelong learners, and says Labs can be used in classrooms, after-school programs, day camps, and other educational programs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Support
The About page invites platform questions by email at [email protected].Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Account
Creating an account lets users track and save progress through videos, questions, and goals in the games and interactives.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Cybersecurity Lab
The Cybersecurity Lab has challenges involving cracking passwords, crafting code, and thwarting malicious hackers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Data removal
The site provides an email address for users to request removal of their account information from Labs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Educator resources
NOVA Labs provides educator guides with Lab-specific ideas and materials, plus opportunities and career exploration resources for teens.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Partners
The RNA Lab says its game engine was developed by the Eterna Project at Carnegie Mellon University.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Publisher
The site says it was produced for PBS Online by WGBH and identifies WGBH Educational Foundation in its copyright notice.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
RNA Lab
The RNA Lab offers RNA-folding puzzles and directs users to Eterna to design RNA molecules.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Scientific activities
Participants can visualize, analyze, and share data that scientists use while investigating scientific questions or designing solutions to current problems.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Sun Lab
The Sun Lab provides access to data, images, and tools scientists use to predict solar storms.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Topics
The site lists labs covering financial decision-making, exoplanets, climate, evolution, cybersecurity, RNA, clouds, renewable energy, and the Sun.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org
Videos
Each Lab includes informative videos that explain key concepts and support its research challenge.Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org

Plans and prices

NOVA Labs Free Read 4 Oct 2026 · pbs.org

Every NOVA Labs plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan with no trial required
  • Covers nine listed science and decision topics
  • Interactive data analysis and sharing activities
  • Videos accompany each Lab’s research challenge
  • Educator guides and career resources included

Limits

  • Web platform only
  • Account needed to track and save progress
  • Favicon checker is not part of this service

Who it suits

It suits teens, lifelong learners, and educators using science activities in classrooms, after-school programs, day camps, or other educational settings.

Verdict

NOVA Labs combines subject-focused games, data activities, and explanatory videos in a free web platform. Its account tracking and educator materials make it suitable for structured learning as well as individual exploration.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to NOVA LabsAll alternatives →