Biology & Life Science Resources | Cape Cod Science Network

The study of life, connection, change, and possibility

Biology asks how living things are built, how they function, how they reproduce, how they change over generations, and how they depend upon one another. Use this directory as a starting point, then follow your curiosity into the field, classroom, laboratory, museum, shoreline, garden, or backyard.

Cape Cod Biology Basics Cells Evolution Microbiology Plants Citizen Science: Observe Student Projects Biology Societies Biology Colleges

Four ideas that connect the biological sciences

Across every scale of life, biologists look for patterns in information, energy, structure, change, and relationship.

Cells

Cells are the fundamental units of life, carrying out metabolism, growth, communication, and reproduction.

Genetic information

DNA stores inherited information, while gene expression helps cells build proteins and respond to their environments.

Evolution

Populations change over generations, creating adaptation, diversity, common ancestry, and the branching tree of life.

Ecological connection

Organisms exchange energy and materials within networks shaped by climate, habitat, competition, cooperation, and chance.

Biology Resources

Cape Cod & New England Biology

Begin close to home. Cape Cod offers marine laboratories, wildlife sanctuaries, coastal habitats, natural-history collections, field courses, aquariums, conservation groups, and living examples of ecology in action.

Cape Cod

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

Local exhibits, trails, salt-marsh habitats, wildlife programs, and natural-history learning in Brewster.

Visit resource → Woods Hole

Marine Biological Laboratory

A world-renowned center for biological discovery, research, and education in Woods Hole.

Visit resource → Courses

MBL Education

Advanced courses, programs, workshops, and learning opportunities across the biological sciences.

Visit resource → Ocean Life

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Ocean research connecting marine biology, ecosystems, climate, technology, and exploration.

Visit resource → Aquarium

Woods Hole Science Aquarium

See marine animals and learn about fisheries science and the biology of New England waters.

Visit resource → Fisheries

NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center

Research on marine species, habitats, ecosystems, protected resources, and sustainable fisheries.

Visit resource → Provincetown

Center for Coastal Studies

Cape Cod research, rescue, education, and conservation focused on whales, seals, sharks, and coastal ecosystems.

Visit resource → Sharks

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

White-shark research, public education, conservation, and Cape Cod field-based learning.

Visit resource → Wildlife

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Trails, tidal flats, salt marshes, forests, field courses, and Cape Cod wildlife programs.

Visit resource → Barnstable

Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

Coastal habitats, wildlife walks, family programs, and views across Barnstable Harbor.

Visit resource → National Park

Cape Cod National Seashore — Nature & Science

Explore dunes, ponds, forests, beaches, plants, animals, and ecological research across the National Seashore.

Visit resource → Estuaries

Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Research and education about estuaries, watersheds, salt marshes, coastal change, and resilience.

Visit resource → Field Study

Sea Education Association

Ocean-focused education combining biology, ecology, sailing, research, and learning at sea.

Visit resource → Conservation

Association to Preserve Cape Cod

Cape Cod environmental information and action related to ponds, wetlands, water, habitats, and biodiversity.

Visit resource → Birding

Cape Cod Bird Club

Local birding, field trips, conservation, and opportunities to learn Cape Cod’s seasonal bird life.

Visit resource → College

Cape Cod Community College STEM

A local starting point for science courses, laboratories, transfer pathways, and STEM education.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Biology Basics & Free Learning

These resources introduce the central ideas of biology: cells, energy, heredity, evolution, structure and function, homeostasis, ecosystems, and the remarkable diversity of life.

NSF

NSF Biology Educational Resources

Biology learning resources and research-based educational materials from the National Science Foundation.

Visit resource → NIH

NIH STEM Teaching Resources

Free classroom and at-home resources covering genetics, cells, health, scientific methods, and biomedical science.

Visit resource → Interactive

HHMI BioInteractive

Videos, animations, virtual labs, data points, activities, and educator-ready life-science materials.

Visit resource → Free Course

Khan Academy Biology

Clear lessons and practice in cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, physiology, and more.

Visit resource → Open Textbook

OpenStax Biology 2e

A free, comprehensive college-level biology textbook available online and as a download.

Visit resource → Student Learning

CK-12 Biology

Flexible digital biology lessons, readings, practice, and interactive learning tools.

Visit resource → Open Education

Biology LibreTexts

A broad open library of biology texts, laboratory materials, diagrams, and course resources.

Visit resource → College Courses

MIT OpenCourseWare Biology

Free MIT course materials in introductory biology, genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and related fields.

Visit resource → Reference

NCBI Bookshelf

Searchable biomedical and life-science books, reports, manuals, and reference works.

Visit resource → Virtual Learning

LabXchange

Free science learning pathways, simulations, case studies, and virtual laboratory experiences.

Visit resource → Classroom

PBS LearningMedia Life Science

Standards-aligned life-science videos, interactives, lesson materials, and classroom resources.

Visit resource → Projects

Science Buddies Biology

Biology project ideas, methods, background guides, and science-fair planning support.

Visit resource → Collections

Smithsonian Learning Lab

Digital museum collections and learning sets spanning animals, plants, humans, ecosystems, and evolution.

Visit resource → Museum Learning

American Museum of Natural History — Learn & Teach

Educational materials built around biodiversity, evolution, genetics, anthropology, and natural history.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Cells, Genetics, DNA & Molecular Biology

Every living organism is built from cells, and every cell carries molecular instructions. Explore DNA, genes, proteins, cell structures, heredity, genomics, and modern biotechnology.

Genomics

Genome.gov Educational Resources

Genome education, fact sheets, activities, videos, and explanations from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Visit resource → DNA

National DNA Day

Activities and educational resources celebrating genetics, genomics, and the discovery of DNA’s structure.

Visit resource → NIH

NIGMS Science Education

Learning resources about cells, genes, proteins, biomedical research, and the people who conduct it.

Visit resource → Interactive

Learn.Genetics

Accessible interactives and explanations covering DNA, heredity, cells, cloning, evolution, and health.

Visit resource → Education

DNA Learning Center

Genetics and molecular-biology education from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Visit resource → Cell Biology

American Society for Cell Biology

Professional resources, news, learning, and career development centered on the fundamental unit of life.

Visit resource → Microscopy

The Cell Image Library

Images, videos, and animations of cells, tissues, organelles, and cellular processes.

Visit resource → Research Talks

iBiology

Free talks and courses where scientists explain biological discoveries, methods, careers, and research stories.

Visit resource → Database

NCBI Gene

Search genes and related genomic, functional, and biomedical information.

Visit resource → Genomes

NCBI Genome

Explore genome assemblies and related data for organisms across the tree of life.

Visit resource → Genome Browser

Ensembl Genome Browser

View and compare genes, genomes, variation, and comparative genomics across many species.

Visit resource → Genome Tools

UCSC Genome Browser

Visualize genomes and layers of biological data used in research and education.

Visit resource → Proteins

RCSB Protein Data Bank

Explore three-dimensional structures of proteins, DNA, RNA, and biological complexes.

Visit resource → Bioinformatics

EMBL-EBI Training

Free learning in biological databases, genomics, proteins, data analysis, and bioinformatics.

Visit resource → Simulation

PhET Gene Expression Essentials

An interactive model of genes, transcription, translation, and the control of protein production.

Visit resource → Animation

HHMI Central Dogma and Genetic Medicine

Explore how information flows from DNA to RNA to protein and how that knowledge connects to medicine.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity

Evolution connects all of biology. Ecology reveals how organisms interact with one another and with air, water, soil, climate, and place. Biodiversity shows the astonishing range of life produced by those relationships.

Evolution

Understanding Evolution

A detailed, educator-friendly guide to evolutionary concepts, evidence, history, and teaching.

Visit resource → Human Evolution

Smithsonian Human Origins

Educational resources about human evolution, fossils, behavior, environments, and scientific evidence.

Visit resource → Tree of Life

OneZoom Tree of Life

An interactive map showing evolutionary relationships among millions of living species.

Visit resource → Species

Encyclopedia of Life

A global collection of information, media, and data about life on Earth.

Visit resource → Biodiversity Data

Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Open biodiversity records and maps contributed by institutions and observers around the world.

Visit resource → Conservation

NatureServe Explorer

Conservation status, distribution, ecology, and taxonomy information for species and ecosystems.

Visit resource → Conservation Status

IUCN Red List

Global assessments of extinction risk and conservation information for species.

Visit resource → Species Maps

Map of Life

Maps and data tools for understanding where species live and how biodiversity changes.

Visit resource → Research

USGS Ecosystems

Science about wildlife, habitats, invasive species, ecosystems, and environmental change.

Visit resource → Wildlife

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Species, habitats, refuges, conservation programs, and wildlife education across the United States.

Visit resource → Protected Lands

National Park Service Nature

Learn about plants, animals, ecosystems, geology, and conservation in national parks.

Visit resource → Ecology Data

NEON Learning Hub

Activities and data resources from the National Ecological Observatory Network.

Visit resource → Bird Biology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Bird research, conservation, identification, citizen science, and educational resources.

Visit resource → Marine Species

NOAA Fisheries Species Directory

Profiles and conservation information for marine mammals, fish, sea turtles, corals, and other ocean life.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Microbiology, Immunology & Human Biology

Microorganisms shape ecosystems, food, health, disease, and the atmosphere. Human biology brings together anatomy, physiology, immunity, development, neuroscience, nutrition, and the many systems that keep the body alive.

Microbiology

American Society for Microbiology

Microbiology news, educational materials, professional resources, careers, and public science.

Visit resource → Microbes

Microbiology Society

Resources and publications covering bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, and microbial communities.

Visit resource → Immunology

NIAID Research

Research information about infectious diseases, immune systems, vaccines, allergies, and emerging pathogens.

Visit resource → Microbiome

NIH Human Microbiome Project

Background and research resources on the communities of microorganisms associated with the human body.

Visit resource → Human Body

MedlinePlus Anatomy

Reliable introductions to organs, tissues, body systems, and common health topics.

Visit resource → Anatomy

Visible Human Project

A digital image resource designed to support the study of human anatomy.

Visit resource → Neuroscience

NINDS Brain Basics

Accessible explanations of the brain, nervous system, sleep, development, and neurological function.

Visit resource → Public Health

CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

A public-health learning program introducing epidemiology, laboratory science, and disease investigation.

Visit resource → Applied Biology

FDA Science and Research

Science related to food, medicines, vaccines, devices, public health, and regulatory research.

Visit resource → Viruses

HHMI Virus Explorer

An interactive comparison of virus structures, genomes, hosts, and replication strategies.

Visit resource → Immunity

Immune System Explorer

Learning materials that introduce immune cells, defenses, communication, and response.

Visit resource → Virus Data

NCBI Virus

Search and explore virus sequences and related biological information.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Plants, Animals, Fungi & the Diversity of Life

Biology becomes especially vivid when we learn to identify the organisms around us. These resources open doors to botany, zoology, mycology, entomology, ornithology, herpetology, marine life, and pollinator science.

Plants

USDA PLANTS Database

Identification, distribution, classification, and reference information for plants in the United States.

Visit resource → Botany

Kew Science

Global plant and fungal science, collections, conservation, and research from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Visit resource → Botany

Botanical Society of America

Plant-science education, careers, research, and professional community resources.

Visit resource → Fungi

Mycological Society of America

Resources and community information for the scientific study of fungi.

Visit resource → Animals

Animal Diversity Web

Detailed species accounts, classifications, images, and natural-history information.

Visit resource → Zoology

Smithsonian National Zoo — Education

Animal biology, conservation stories, classroom activities, and virtual learning.

Visit resource → Birds

Cornell All About Birds

Bird identification, life histories, sounds, behavior, migration, and conservation.

Visit resource → Insects

BugGuide

Community-supported identification and information for insects, spiders, and other arthropods in North America.

Visit resource → Fish

FishBase

A global reference database covering fish species, ecology, distribution, and biology.

Visit resource → Amphibians

AmphibiaWeb

Species accounts, conservation information, maps, photos, and research on amphibians.

Visit resource → Reptiles

The Reptile Database

Taxonomy, distribution, and reference information for living reptile species.

Visit resource → Pollinators

Pollinator Partnership

Pollinator education, habitat guides, conservation programs, and resources for communities.

Visit resource → Invertebrates

Xerces Society

Conservation and education focused on pollinators and other invertebrates.

Visit resource → Butterflies

Monarch Watch

Monarch biology, migration, tagging, habitat, education, and citizen-science projects.

Visit resource → Marine Biodiversity

Ocean Biodiversity Information System

Open global data on marine species distribution and ocean biodiversity.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Citizen Science: Observe, Identify & Contribute

You do not need a laboratory to participate in biology. A phone, notebook, camera, binoculars, garden, beach walk, or backyard can become the starting point for useful observations and real scientific contributions.

Biodiversity

iNaturalist

Record organisms, get help with identification, explore local life, and contribute observations used in research.

Visit resource → Family App

Seek by iNaturalist

A family-friendly nature-identification app with challenges and private observation options.

Visit resource → Birds

eBird

Record bird sightings and explore maps, checklists, abundance, migration, and community science data.

Visit resource → Bird ID

Merlin Bird ID

Identify birds by questions, photos, or sound and learn about nearby species.

Visit resource → Backyard Birds

Project FeederWatch

Count birds at feeders and help researchers understand winter bird populations.

Visit resource → Nesting Birds

NestWatch

Monitor bird nests using research protocols and contribute breeding information.

Visit resource → Frogs

FrogWatch USA

Learn frog and toad calls and contribute observations about amphibian populations.

Visit resource → Plants

Project BudBurst

Observe seasonal changes in plants and contribute phenology data.

Visit resource → Phenology

Nature’s Notebook

Track seasonal biological events in plants and animals for the USA National Phenology Network.

Visit resource → Migration

Journey North

Follow and report seasonal migrations and changes involving monarchs, hummingbirds, whales, plants, and more.

Visit resource → Butterflies

eButterfly

Track butterfly observations and contribute to research on distribution and change.

Visit resource → Online Research

Zooniverse Biology Projects

Help classify images and data for active biology research projects from home.

Visit resource → Project Finder

SciStarter

Find citizen-science projects by topic, location, age group, and type of activity.

Visit resource → Earth & Life

GLOBE Observer

Collect observations of land cover, trees, clouds, habitats, and environmental conditions.

Visit resource → Protein Science

Foldit

Solve protein-folding puzzles that introduce molecular structure and may support research.

Visit resource → RNA

Eterna

Design RNA molecules through puzzles and contribute ideas to experimental research.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Student Projects, Teachers & Biology Competitions

Turn biology from something you read into something you investigate. Projects can begin with careful observation, a testable question, ethical methods, good records, and a willingness to revise ideas when evidence changes.

Project Ideas

Science Buddies Life Science Projects

Project ideas and planning guides across human biology, plants, animals, microbiology, and genetics.

Visit resource → Science Fairs

Society for Science

Programs, competitions, journalism, and support for student scientific research.

Visit resource → Competition

Regeneron ISEF

A major international science and engineering competition for high-school research.

Visit resource → Student Research

Junior Science and Humanities Symposia

Regional and national opportunities for high-school students to present original STEM research.

Visit resource → Biotechnology

BioGENEius Challenge

A student competition focused on biotechnology research and innovation.

Visit resource → Synthetic Biology

iGEM Competition

Team-based synthetic-biology projects combining science, engineering, communication, and responsibility.

Visit resource → Space Biology

Genes in Space

A student competition proposing DNA experiments for the International Space Station.

Visit resource → Genetics

National DNA Day Essay Contest

An annual genetics essay competition for students from the American Society of Human Genetics.

Visit resource → Teachers

National Science Teaching Association

Lesson ideas, standards, professional learning, publications, and classroom science resources.

Visit resource → Educators

HHMI BioInteractive Educator Resources

Classroom-ready biology resources with teaching tips, standards, assessments, and data activities.

Visit resource → Genetics Lessons

NIH STEM Resources — Genetics

Curated genetics and genomics learning materials for teachers and students.

Visit resource → Research-Based

NSF Biology Educational Resources

Educational resources connected to current biological research and scientific discovery.

Visit resource → Open Resources

OER Commons Biology

Searchable open lessons, activities, courses, and teaching materials in biology.

Visit resource → Young Readers

Frontiers for Young Minds — Biology

Scientific articles rewritten and reviewed for younger readers.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Biology Societies, Careers & Professional Pathways

Biology can lead to work in laboratories, healthcare, conservation, biotechnology, fisheries, agriculture, museums, education, public health, data science, policy, writing, and many other fields.

Biological Sciences

American Institute of Biological Sciences

Biology policy, professional development, scientific communication, peer review, and community resources.

Visit resource → Career Development

American Society for Cell Biology — Careers

Career guidance, teaching resources, professional development, and workplace information for life scientists.

Visit resource → Microbiology Careers

American Society for Microbiology — Careers

Career exploration and professional resources for microbiology students and scientists.

Visit resource → Genetics

Genetics Society of America

Research community, education, conferences, publications, and career development in genetics.

Visit resource → Ecology

Ecological Society of America

Ecology research, education, policy, careers, meetings, and professional community.

Visit resource → Conservation

Society for Conservation Biology

Professional resources and global community for biodiversity and conservation science.

Visit resource → Organismal Biology

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Research and professional resources spanning evolution, physiology, behavior, biomechanics, and organismal biology.

Visit resource → Molecular Biology

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Education, careers, publications, and professional development in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Visit resource → Career Data

BLS — Biochemists and Biophysicists

Occupational outlook, education, work settings, pay, and job projections.

Visit resource → Career Data

BLS — Microbiologists

Career information for laboratory, medical, environmental, and industrial microbiology.

Visit resource → Career Data

BLS — Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Career information for studying animals, populations, habitats, and conservation.

Visit resource → Career Data

BLS — Biological Technicians

Information about laboratory and field support careers in biological research.

Visit resource → Career Data

BLS — Medical Scientists

Career information for research that improves human health and medical knowledge.

Visit resource → Research Careers

NIH Training & Career Development

Explore biomedical training pathways, scholarships, fellowships, and career stages.

Visit resource →

Biology Resources

Biology Colleges, Universities & Research Programs

Programs differ in emphasis: some focus on cell and molecular biology, others on ecology and evolution, marine science, neuroscience, biotechnology, conservation, or computational biology. Explore broadly and compare course offerings, laboratories, undergraduate research, and transfer pathways.

Cape Cod

Cape Cod Community College STEM

Local science coursework and transfer pathways for students beginning or continuing their education.

Visit resource → Woods Hole

Marine Biological Laboratory Education

Intensive biological courses and programs connected to a major international research community.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

MIT Department of Biology

Molecular, cellular, genetic, developmental, microbial, and systems biology research and education.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

Harvard Organismic & Evolutionary Biology

Biological questions spanning cells, organisms, evolution, behavior, physiology, and ecosystems.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

Harvard Molecular & Cellular Biology

Research and education across genes, cells, molecules, development, neuroscience, and quantitative biology.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

Boston University Biology

An integrative department spanning cell and molecular biology, neuroscience, ecology, evolution, and conservation.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

Northeastern University Biology

Biology education and research with experiential learning and connections to biotechnology and health.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

Tufts University Biology

Programs and research in genetics, cell biology, development, behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

UMass Amherst Biology

Undergraduate and graduate study with research across molecular, cellular, organismal, evolutionary, and plant biology.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

UMass Boston Biology

Biology degree programs, laboratories, research, and access to Boston’s scientific community.

Visit resource → Massachusetts

UMass Dartmouth Biology

Biology programs with laboratory learning and pathways into research, health, education, and environmental fields.

Visit resource → Rhode Island

Brown University Biology

Biological research and education across molecules, cells, organisms, ecology, evolution, and health.

Visit resource → Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island Biological Sciences

Biological sciences with strengths in marine, environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular research.

Visit resource → Connecticut

Yale Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Research and education in ecology, evolution, biodiversity, behavior, and organismal biology.

Visit resource → Connecticut

Yale Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

Programs spanning molecular mechanisms, cells, genetics, development, neuroscience, and disease.

Visit resource → Connecticut

University of Connecticut Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

Ecology, evolution, systematics, biodiversity, behavior, and organismal biology.

Visit resource → New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire Biological Sciences

Biology programs connecting laboratory, field, marine, environmental, and life-science research.

Visit resource → Vermont

University of Vermont Biology

Biology education and research from molecules and cells to organisms, populations, and ecosystems.

Visit resource → Maine

Bowdoin College Biology

Undergraduate biology with field, laboratory, marine, ecological, cellular, and evolutionary opportunities.

Visit resource → Maine

University of Maine School of Biology & Ecology

Programs in biology, ecology, wildlife, plants, evolution, and Maine’s natural environments.

Visit resource →

Biology Guidance

How to explore biology well

Biology is most rewarding when observation, evidence, imagination, humility, and care for living systems work together.

Begin

Start with the big ideas

Learn cells, heredity, evolution, energy, structure and function, and ecosystems before getting lost in vocabulary.

Go to basics → Observe

Study life close to home

Beaches, ponds, marshes, gardens, forests, birds, insects, and seasonal change make Cape Cod a living biology classroom.

Explore Cape Cod → Contribute

Join a real project

Citizen science can transform careful observations into data that helps researchers understand migration, biodiversity, and change.

Find a project → Investigate

Ask testable questions

Good projects use ethical methods, clear variables, careful records, and conclusions that match the evidence.

Explore projects → Think Critically

Separate evidence from claims

Use trusted sources, check methods, compare explanations, and remember that science improves by testing and revision.

Explore molecular biology → Imagine

See the many career paths

Biology connects to conservation, medicine, biotechnology, data, education, public health, art, museums, policy, and communication.

Explore careers →

Future Cape Cod Biology Projects

This page can later feature student nature journals, school biology projects, local species observations, Cape Cod habitat studies, citizen-science teams, laboratory learning, conservation work, and STEAM projects that connect life science with photography, painting, writing, music, film, and design.

Student biology projects and science-fair entries
Cape Cod species guides, seasonal observations, and nature photography
Teacher, homeschool, museum, and science-club activities
Community conservation, pollinator, pond, beach, and wildlife projects

Explore other science areas

Biology connects naturally to chemistry, marine science, Earth science, AI, robotics, mathematics, museums, and the wider Cape Cod Science Network.