TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Aug 31, 2025

Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
PhET Interactive Simulations - University of Colorado
Grades
K to 12tag(s): acids and bases (7), area (54), atoms (46), charts and graphs (167), electricity (60), fractions (160), functions (52), gravity (45), light (55), magnetism (34), matter (47), molecules (43), ph (2), probability (98), quadratics (27), simple machines (20), simulations (37), sound (71), space (229), STEM (330)
In the Classroom
Challenge students to explore a PhET simulation related to a current science topic, such as circuits, gravity, or states of matter. They can make predictions before interacting with the simulation and record their observations to compare with their initial ideas. Give students a scavenger hunt worksheet with specific challenges to complete in a simulation (ex., "Find a way to make a circuit light up" in the Circuit Construction Kit). Students design a virtual experiment using a PhET simulation. They choose a variable to change, make a hypothesis, run multiple trials, and record their results in a data table or graph before sharing their findings. After using a PhET simulation, students discuss or write about real-world applications of what they learned (how forces affect roller coasters, how molecules move in different states of matter) and present their findings using Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Penguin Protection - Smithsonian Science Education
Grades
K to 3tag(s): animals (294), simulations (37)
In the Classroom
Before using the simulation, students could participate in a role-playing game where they act as penguin parents protecting their "egg" (a small ball or beanbag) from environmental dangers (ex., wind, cold, predators). This introduces them to the challenges penguins face in the context of Penguin Protection. After exploring the simulation, students can create a diorama of a rockhopper penguin habitat using a shoebox or a digital tool such as Tinkercad, reviewed here. Students can identify and label important features, such as nesting areas, food sources, and predators. Students imagine they are rockhopper penguins and write a short story about their journey raising a chick. They describe challenges like finding food, staying warm, and avoiding predators.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Build-a-Fish - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): adaptations (15), evolution (87), habitats (100), marine biology (33), reefs (8), simulations (37)
In the Classroom
Before using the Build-a-Fish tool, show students images of various fish species and their habitats. Have them predict which body shapes, fins, or colors help the fish survive in their environment. After using the interactive tool, discuss how their predictions compare to their results. Students can create their own "Build-a-Fish" designs on paper by choosing specific adaptations such as body shape, mouth type, and fin placement. They must justify their choices based on the fish's hypothetical habitat (ex, deep ocean, coral reef, freshwater stream). Then, they can compare their designs with real-world fish species. Have students apply their understanding of adaptations to design a completely fictional aquatic creature. They can illustrate and describe how their creature's adaptations help it survive. Then, they can present their designs to the class in a "Marine Life Discovery Expo." Have students research real fish species and compare their adaptations to the choices they made in Build-a-Fish. They can create a comparison chart that shows similarities and differences, explaining how real-world environmental factors have shaped these adaptations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Coral Reef Simulation - National Geographic
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): ecosystems (90), marine biology (33), reefs (8), simulations (37)
In the Classroom
Have students use the simulation to collect fish population data from different reef sites, compare their findings, and discuss what the data reveals about biodiversity and reef health. After completing the survey, students can research real-world threats to coral reefs (ex., climate change, overfishing, pollution), connect their findings from the simulation to actual case studies, and propose solutions for reef conservation. Students can collect multiple rounds of data in the simulation and create graphs using ClassTools, reviewed here or charts to analyze population trends.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Camp Fire Simulation - National Geographic
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): climate (89), climate change (100), fire (23), fire prevention (17), fire safety (17), simulations (37)
In the Classroom
Challenge students to design a wildfire prevention campaign based on what they learn in the simulation. They can create posters, videos, or social media posts educating the public on fire safety, preparedness, and mitigation strategies. An option would be to use Canva Edu, reviewed here. Assign students the role of wildfire incident commanders. Using the simulation, they can develop a fire containment plan, justifying their choices. After running the simulation, students can research how climate change affects wildfire frequency and intensity, create infographics or presentations using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here linking simulation data with real-world wildfire trends.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Simulations and Games - SimPop
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): simulations (37), solar system (111), STEM (330)
In the Classroom
Solar System Scale Model - After exploring the solar system simulation, have students create a scaled model of the planets using various objects such as balls, fruits, or paper cutouts. They can compare their models to the simulation and discuss the challenges of accurately representing distances in space. After adjusting variables in the projectile motion simulation (such as angle, velocity, and gravity), students can conduct a real-world experiment by launching small objects that can include foam darts and balls. Students can collect data, create graphs, and analyze how factors affect projectile trajectory. The convex lens simulation allows students to explore how lenses focus light at different distances. Then, they experiment with real convex lenses, observing how they can magnify text or focus sunlight to burn paper. They discuss applications in eyeglasses, microscopes, and telescopes. After interacting with the electroscope simulation, students experiment with real objects (balloons, wool, plastic rods) to create static electricity. They compare their real-world observations to the simulation and explain how charge interactions affect the movement of the electroscope's metal leaves.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Journey Through an Exploded Star - Smithsonian Education
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): simulations (37), stars (76), STEM (330)
In the Classroom
Students can illustrate and write a comic strip showing the life cycle of a massive star, from birth to supernova. The comic strip can be made digitally using Free Comic Strip Maker, reviewed here or Make Beliefs Comics, reviewed here. Using real astronomical data from the website, have students analyze how and when a star might go supernova and present their findings to the class. Using the information from the website, students can create a timeline of a star's life cycle, labeling key stages like protostar, main sequence, red giant, and supernova. They can present their timeline on paper or digitally using an infographic tool such as Turbo Timeline Generator, reviewed here or Timeline, reviewed here. Students can also research what happens after a supernova (neutron stars, black holes, etc.) and debate the most fascinating aftermath.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MultiSim Live Circuit Simulator - National Instruments
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): circuits (19), electricity (60), engineering (140), simulations (37), STEM (330)
In the Classroom
Organize a challenge where students must design a circuit that meets specific criteria, such as creating a basic amplifier or a light-activated switch. Have students research a real-world electronic device and identify its key circuits. Assign students to explore different electronic components available in Multisim, such as capacitors, inductors, and diodes. After designing and simulating a circuit in Multisim, students can collect data on its performance and represent their findings on graphs and charts on a resource such as Canva Infographic Creator reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iThrive Sim- Digital Simulation Games - ithrive games
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): collaboration (79), flipped learning (4), game based learning (210), Online Learning (32), simulations (37), social and emotional learning (110)
In the Classroom
Teachers can find links to individual games, downloadable curricula for various video games, lesson plans, and teaching resources. These game simulations are designed to build skills in decision-making, understanding bias, compromise, advocacy, and collaboration among students. The games support face-to-face interaction and can also be adapted to the needs of online and hybrid learning environments.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Geo-fs Flight Simulator - GeoFS
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): aviation (40), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
There are various uses for this flight simulator, from a simple flight for exploring the land below to learning more advanced aviation skills. Your students can experience different parts of the world using the Geo-fs flight simulator. Use this site to learn the geography of a region or study various landscapes. Teachers can create a virtual field or lit trips by making a flight plan for their students to follow. Create a challenge or virtual race for your students to complete; the possibilities are endless!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NationStates - Max Barry
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): foreign policy (13), money (110), politics (120), sociology (22)
In the Classroom
Students can use this interactive individually, making connections to their choice, results, and connections to actual world events, present and past. Additionally, students can join a region and see how their decisions affect other nations. A great lesson is to allow students to run their nation according to their political views and see the results as they unfold through play. Be sure to treat this seriously as the issues presented here are actual issues that governments must deal with daily. Even making a decision within your political viewpoint can lead to results that are not anticipated. Require students to discuss their viewpoint, why they believe they are right, the resulting consequence, and how it has changed what they believe. Following the play, give time for students to research an initiative or action a country made and the resulting consequences that have resulted. Present, discuss, or debate these with the class. Allow every student in class to have a voice by using a student response system such as Ziplet, reviewed here, or GoSoapBox, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Quandary - Learning Games Network
Grades
3 to 9tag(s): creativity (81), critical thinking (138), ethics (21), game based learning (210), social and emotional learning (110)
In the Classroom
Try this activity on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). Create a quick poll (with no membership required) using Poll Everywhere, reviewed here, to view students' choices of actions to take throughout the game. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos using Adobe Creative Cloud Express Video Maker, reviewed here, explaining what they learned and sharing them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here, to explain the decision-making process for different scenarios.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Spent - McKinney and Urban Ministries of Durham
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): financial literacy (92), money (110)
In the Classroom
Use this site when you are teaching budgeting or learning about poverty in America. Business classes or courses on "life in the real world" will benefit from trying the entire simulation. Challenge students to work this site individually and keep notes of the choices/consequences they discovered on their path. Have them write blog entries based on their experiences. If individual computers aren't available, share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups create online "how to" books on surviving the challenges learned about on the website using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here.Comments
Great game! The students at our alternative school LOVED it!Nonya, NC, Grades: 9 - 12
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Mission US - Thirteen
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): 1800s (72), abolition (7), american revolution (88), evolution (87), great depression (30), immigrants (44), immigration (81), slavery (79), westward expansion (41), world war 2 (165)
In the Classroom
This is a must for any social studies or US History class. If you are remote or hybrid teaching, besure to read the section for usng Mission US while learning at home. Start by checking out the teachers area so you can follow the progress of your students. Use the demo game on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector to introduce it to your students. Once classes are set up have your students work in cooperative groups and work their way through the activities. There are wonderful teacher resources available including models for instruction, tips, instructions and student handouts. Resources are available in both PDF and Word so you can customize the worksheets for your students. This feature is great for differentiating materials for various student levels. When all students are done with a Mission, enhance student learning and have a class discussion about what side they chose and why? Consider using a backchanneling tool such as Yo!Teach, reviewed here, which allows all students a chance to voice their opinions (even the shyest and quiet ones). If your class is remote learning, for the discussion, extend learning by using Gravity, reviewed here; require them to comment (politely) on their peers choices and reflections.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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