PHET
Resistance in a Wire
Resistance is not futile, it is voltage divided by current. A creative simulation presents a wire graphic and allows participants to alter the area, length, and resistivity. As scholars increase or decrease a variable within the...
PHET
Planet Designer: Martian Makeover
Mars used to have liquid water, can you make it come back? Use the lesson and simulation to understand why Mars lost its magnetic field, why atmosphere is important, and what gravity has to do with it. This is the third lesson...
PHET
Ohm's Law
Why did Mr. Ohm marry Mrs. Ohm? He couldn't resistor. An electrifying simulation allows scholars to control both voltage and resistance in order to see the current change. The formula is displayed and as you increase one variable, it...
CK-12 Foundation
Electric Motor
How does a direct current run a motor? Pupils control five variables in an electric motor and observe how the force diagram changes. The force, magnetic field, and current vary based on the changes in the design of the magnet and...
Foundation for Water & Energy Education
How Can Work Be Done with Water Power? Activity C
Third in a set of lessons regarding reservoirs, dams, and hydropower, this involves a two-day hydropower plant simulation. Collaborative groups build, maintain, and finance the plant. The transparency of the reservoir setup can be...
CK-12 Foundation
Heat Engine
How can heat power an engine? Scholars observe a heat engine working and control variables to determine the most efficient setup. They change the amount of heat input as well as the stroke length. Energy efficiency numbers prove the...
Physics Classroom
Law Enforcement - Refraction
Pupils apply their knowledge of refraction to four different sets of challenges. Each of the first three focus on one variable's impact on the direction of bending. The fourth combines variables for greater challenge.
PHET
Planet Designer: Retro Planet Red
What does the atmosphere on Mars look like? This fourth lesson in the series of five is designed for high schoolers. Scholars apply previous knowledge to add atmosphere to Mars in an online simulation. This comprehensive lesson includes...
Physics Classroom
The L.O.S.T. Art of Image Description - Curved Mirrors
We see curved mirrors every day in spoons, rear-view mirrors, stores as a safety measure, make-up mirrors, and in novelty stores. Scholars explore the changes to an image based on the curve of the mirror, the location of the image, and...
Curated OER
Biodiversity Debate - Stream Side Science
Role play community members who are both for and against the construction of a dam. Research the pros and cons and then hold a classroom debate. This activity ideally follows a series of stream studies, links to which are included. Use...
CK-12 Foundation
Power Lines
How does electricity travel through power lines? The simulation demonstrates the how changes in voltage and resistance are related to the distance between power polls and the thickness of the cable. Scholars control three variables in...
PHET
Forces and Motion: Basics
How is tug of war related to pushing a refrigerator? Here's a simulation connects these two activities with Newton's First Law of Motion. Four different simulations allow scholars to explore net force with tug of war, motion with pushing...
Curated OER
Food Chain Activities
Transform young biologists into grasshoppers, lizards, and hawks as you teach them about food chains in an interactive life science simulation. Working collaboratively to act out three different scenarios involving...
CK-12 Foundation
Touch Screen
Touch screens are becoming more common, but how do they work? The simulation shows the electric potential versus system charge as scholars alter three variables. The schematic of the capacitance demonstrates the set up as each variable...
PHET
Planet Designer: Kelvin Climb
It's time to get those creative juices flowing! This second instructional activity in a series of five continues allowing pupils to design their own planets. It the same format as the first, but, this time, allows students to alter...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Orbit Simulator
Researchers think they have evidence of a new planet deep in our solar system that is the size of Neptune and orbits the sun far beyond Pluto. The orbit simulator shows the orbits of our well-known planets, as well as Pluto and the comet...
Beyond Benign
The Big Melt: Arctic Ice Caps
Are the Arctic ice caps really melting out of existence? Junior climatologists examine the statistics of ice decline through four math-based lessons. Each activity incorporates data, climate information, and environmental impact into an...
Science 4 Inquiry
The Ups and Downs of Populations
As the reality of population decline across many species becomes real, pupils learn about the variables related to changes in populations. They complete a simulation of population changes and graph the results, then discuss limiting...
CK-12 Foundation
Cannon Simulation
Fire in the hole! Thrill your classes as they see what it's like to fire a cannon ball. Scholars practice aiming a cannon ball by altering first the firing angle, then the velocity, and finally both simultaneously. Can they discover the...
CK-12 Foundation
Oscillations Simulation
What makes a swing go back and forth like a pendulum rather than going all the way around? Scholars use the simulation to explore pendulums and how they work. They vary the weight, length of the rope, and even gravity in various trials.
CK-12 Foundation
Stow Lake
Does the depth of a pond matter to the waves created when rain is falling? Many people assume the answer is no, but interestingly, it does matter. Pupils explore this concept and other variables related to wave behavior through a...
CK-12 Foundation
Bumper Cars
Is the transfer of energy different in bumper cars with stable versus bouncy bumpers? One of the variables explored in the simulation is bumper type; other variables are the mass and velocity of each car. This allows pupils to see the...
Magic of Physics
Wave Machine
Three main factors determine the wave height experienced in the ocean. Scholars use a virtual simulator to alter wind speed, fetch, and duration. Each combination creates a unique wave measured in significant height.
CK-12 Foundation
Sprinter
Why do sprinters wear spiked shoes? Scholars explore various styles of shoes and how they handle forces when running. Scholars adjust variables including shoe type, horizontal force, surface type, and normal force to determine which...