unSocialized Educated at Home; Engaging the World

The University of Utah's Genetic Science Learning Center offers two sites for learning the basics of DNA:

LearnGenetics: Here, you’ll be presented with an animated tour of DNA, videos that explain how genetic traits are passed from one generation to the next, and a look inside of a cell. You can see how cells compare in size to molecules, atoms, and other objects, and build a DNA molecule.

TeachGenetics: The companion website to the one above, here, you’ll find ready-to-use “print-and-go” activities with instructions, worksheets, visuals, and answer keys. For example, you can download Have Your DNA and Eat It Too which includes instructions for making edible DNA with Twizzlers and mini marshmallows.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Learn about DNA, stem cells, and genomics and chemical genetics, among other topics. Most topics feature videos, animations, interactives, and articles. In the “Classroom” section of the site, you will find activities and teachers guides.

DNA From the Beginning: Readings, animations and videos covering topics in Genetics.

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By alternatives, I mean to the traditional general biology - chemistry - physics track that many high school students follow when headed to college. Some homeschoolers, depending on their children's interests, like to do other physical sciences or focus on a specific aspect of biology. The following links are to free online courses for some science alternatives: 

Georgia Virtual Learning: At this link to their Science page, you'll find courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Oceanography, and general Physical Science.

Saylor: Offers courses in Zoology, Marine Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Forensics Illustrated: Includes PowerPoint presentations, projects, labs, and tests.

DNA From the Beginning: Readings, animations and videos covering topics in Genetics.

Earth's Dynamic Systems: Online textbook, and companion site covering Earth Science and Geology. You can also visit Online Labs for Geology.

NROC: Offers a full course in Environmental Science.

Have you found any free science resources for high school science? Please share them in comments.

Learn about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, plants, ecosystems and habitats, and endangered species at the Arkive, a not-for-profit conservation initiative that is building a multimedia archive of the world’s species.

The site can be explored by topic or grade level (ages 5 - 18), and there are many learning kits and activity packs to download, some with PowerPoint presentations to introduce and explain topics. Some examples: 

Nocturnal Animals: Includes a PowerPoint presentation and game for matching animal sounds to correct animal pictures.

Animal Classification: Several different presentations, worksheets and activity packs are available for this topic, including a Guess Zoo guessing game.

Animal Communication: Presentation on how animals communicate, and resources for researching a particular animal and creating a video report on how it communicates.

The site also has a games and puzzles page, and activities page with animal origami and mask crafts. Check it out.

(Had to include this cute picture. :)