Khan Academy is excited to launch our brand-new Middle School Chemistry course, carefully designed to align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This engaging and comprehensive course helps students build a strong foundation in chemistry through real-world connections, clear explanations, and interactive practice.

With this addition, Khan Academy now offers NGSS-aligned middle school science courses across all four content areas: biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science.

Explore our Middle School Chemistry course

What makes this course unique?

The course features all-new videos and articles that make chemistry concepts easy to understand and relevant to students’ lives. Each video is short and focused to reduce cognitive overload while companion articles use direct, accessible language to reinforce key ideas.

This multimodal learning approach supports differentiation and student choice, making it easier for all learners to stay engaged and build confidence when interacting with challenging topics.

Hands-on practice that builds scientific thinking

The course includes all-new, interactive practice exercises that help students apply what they’ve learned in meaningful ways. Students will

• model how atoms form molecules,
• identify physical vs. chemical changes, and
• analyze the connection between kinetic energy and thermal energy.

All practice aligns with the three-dimensional learning model of NGSS, blending disciplinary core ideas with science and engineering practices. Students are encouraged to interpret data, construct explanations, and use models—just like professional scientists.

Why it matters for teachers

This course is a powerful, low-prep solution for middle school science teachers looking to build NGSS-aligned chemistry instruction. It’s flexible enough for a range of settings, whether you’re teaching whole-class lessons, supporting small groups, or assigning independent work.

Educators can rely on

• clear, standards-aligned assessments,
• high-quality instructional materials, and
• tools that support both conceptual understanding and applied skills.

With Khan Academy, you can focus on nurturing scientific thinking while ensuring students are ready for high school success.