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PhET Interactive Simulations - University of Colorado
Grades
K to 12
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The PhET Interactive Simulations website, developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, offers free, research-based interactive simulations for teaching science and mathematics....more
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The PhET Interactive Simulations website, developed by the University of Colorado Boulder, offers free, research-based interactive simulations for teaching science and mathematics. These engaging simulations allow students to explore concepts in physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and math through hands-on virtual experiments. These PhET simulations are designed for elementary through college-level learners, and support inquiry-based learning and can be used for whole-class demonstrations, small-group activities, or independent exploration. The simulations are HTML5-based, making them accessible on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices without additional software. This resource is an excellent tool for reinforcing key STEM concepts in an interactive and visually engaging way.
tag(s): acids and bases (7), area (39), atoms (47), charts and graphs (165), electricity (60), fractions (152), functions (51), gravity (46), light (56), magnetism (36), matter (48), molecules (42), ph (2), probability (96), quadratics (27), simple machines (21), simulations (40), sound (73), space (230), STEM (328)
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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