PhET

// **PhET Physics Simulator** // // **http://phet.colorado.edu/** //

The PhET Physics Simulator was also developed by the University of Colorado at Boulder, and provides colorful, interactive simulations of numerous concepts in the study science (contrary to what the name seems to indicate, included are areas of physics, biology, chemistry, math, earth science, and cutting edge research). A user can run the simulations online, download them one at a time, or download all of them at once for the full library. PhET is a wonderful way for students to be exposed to how scientific principles are applied in the real world. The simulations offer an understanding of the principles, which may seem abstract to students, in a concrete way. In addition, because it is interactive, the students will retain the information more readily than when they are passively receiving information through lecture because they themselves are causing the phenomena to occur in real-life situations.

This program could be useful for younger science students (elementary and middle school) if the simulations were introduced and explained by the teacher, or the teacher went through them with students. High school students could easily explore and manipulate the concepts independently. Teachers could use this program to introduce ideas, to reinforce lecture concepts, or to test understanding. In fact, the website provides a database of activities for each simulation in the program for teachers to use, which can be browsed by type, grade level, or language. The simulations also provide good classroom alternatives to expensive or dangerous demonstrations.There are no costs or registration issues for use of this program.

This program definitely supports metacognition. Because students can participate directly in the simulations, they become aware of their understanding and can continue to manipulate variables until they feel they understand the material sufficiently. Students can explore a simulation by making changes and drawing conclusions, and move to a new simulation when they feel they have mastered a topic.

Below are a couple screenshots from different stages in the natural selection simulation.  