10 Research Websites for Middle School Students in 2024-2025

Shreyans Lodha

Jul 16, 2024

As a middle school student, you may have started taking your first steps into the field of research through school assignments. Whether you are working on a science project, history report, or literature paper, research is key and will only continue to become more important through the years.

The research process generally involves searching for facts, organizing data, analyzing it, and using it to present a clear argument or solution. This is where research websites come in. As an online resource, research websites are easy to access and often provide valuable information. They also come with interactive tools that make it easier to learn. But with all the various websites out there, you have to make sure the information is reliable and comes from a reputed source.

Here are 10 reliable research websites for middle school students in 2024-2025:

1. Google Books

  • Type: Books and magazines

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free access to a limited set of books

Google Books offers access to over 40 million books and magazines, at least 10 million of which are free to read. You can input any topic, and the platform will search through book titles and individual chapters to find results. This is a great way to find credible sources for any major research topic that might not be available in your school or neighborhood libraries.

2. National Geographic’s Education Resources

  • Type: Multiple

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free

National Geographic provides educational resources such as articles, encyclopedias, interactive maps, and live classes taught by scientists. It's especially strong in subjects like geography, biology, earth sciences, and social studies.

3. SmARThistory

  • Type: Videos, essays, books

  • Subject Area: Art, World History

  • Cost: Free

SmARThistory offers resources on art history from prehistoric times to the modern era, making it valuable for both art and culture-related research.

4. Library of Congress

  • Type: Multiple

  • Subject Area: Multiple, with a focus on humanities

  • Cost: Free

The Library of Congress hosts over 15 million digital objects, including historical documents, photographs, and recordings. It's a great resource for projects that need primary source materials.

5. Smithsonian Learning Lab

  • Type: Multiple

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free

This platform provides access to Smithsonian Institution resources while allowing students to personalize their research by creating collections and adding notes.

6. WorldCat

  • Type: Books, articles, images

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free

WorldCat helps locate nearby libraries and their catalogs. It covers a range of topics, including sustainability, archaeology, and astrophysics.

7. Fact Monster

  • Type: General knowledge

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free

Fact Monster is an encyclopedia with material on math, science, language arts, and more. It also includes calculators, dictionaries, and atlases for quick references.

8. Britannica Education

  • Type: Multiple

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Paid subscription (via school or institution)

Britannica Education provides tools like Britannica School and Britannica Academic, offering curated content written by experts.

9. TEDEd

  • Type: Videos and lessons

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free

TEDEd features educational videos and interactive tools for deeper understanding. Curated collections make it a great resource for group projects.

10. Bill Nye: The Science Guy

  • Type: Information guides and videos

  • Subject Area: Multiple

  • Cost: Free

This site includes episode guides and hands-on experiment instructions, ideal for introducing students to STEM concepts.

Explore Research with RISE Global Education

For middle school students ready to take their research skills to the next level, RISE Global Education offers a unique opportunity. Founded by mentors from Oxbridge, RISE connects students with world-class scholars to help them explore their academic interests and develop impactful projects.

The RISE program is rigorous, fully virtual, and provides personalized guidance to ensure students excel. Whether you want to publish your research or build a portfolio for future academic pursuits, RISE is the perfect fit for middle and high school students aiming for excellence.

Take the first step in your research journey with RISE Global Education—where curiosity meets opportunity.