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Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education

Zachariah Mbasu and Rebecca Vieyra

PhET Interactive Simulations ( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers.

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PhET Interactive Simulations ( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers.

In this course, we will review strategies for how to use PhET to create simulation-based active learning activities for math or science classes, including activity sheets that students can use as they work independently or in small groups while they have direct access to simulations on their own devices.

To finish this course, you need to complete two assignments with Peer Review: 1) Select and evaluate an Activity Sheet and 2) Create your own Activity Sheet for science or math that integrate PhET simulations.

This course is the third of four courses that make up the specialization “Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations”.

This course is also available in Spanish as “Diseño de Actividades con Simulaciones PhET para la Educación STEM” and in Portuguese as "Desenho de Atividades com PhET para Educação STEM".

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction: Students Interacting With Simulations
In this module, we will review strategies for when to use simulation-anchored Activity Sheets for science and math classes that students can use as they work independently or in small groups while they have direct access to simulations on their own device.
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Module 2: Revisiting PhET Activities
In this module, you will explore the difference between Activities and Activity Sheets. You will also select a pre-existing Activity Sheet contributed by other PhET users and analyze it to improve its alignment with the PhET Equity Framework.
Module 3: Challenge Prompts
This module will introduce you to the core of a high-quality student activity sheet–Challenge Prompts. Using examples from various subjects, you will revise teacher-directed instructions to produce open-ended challenges that better promote Active Learning.
Module 4: Activity Sheets and Lessons
In this module, you will learn how to build an Activity Sheet, considering various parts of a lesson.
Module 5: Assignment Submissions and Conclusions
In this module, you will submit an Activity Sheet of your own!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides strategies for implementing PhET simulations in science and math instruction
Leverages open-source, free, interactive, and research-based simulations
Developed by the University of Colorado Boulder with extensive testing and evaluation for educational effectiveness
Focuses on creating simulation-based active learning activities to enhance student engagement and understanding
Provides a structured approach through Activity Sheets to guide student exploration and inquiry
Suitable for educators in primary, secondary, and higher education levels

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Math Curriculum Developer
Math curriculum developers create and develop math curricula for use in schools and other educational settings. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create math curricula that are aligned with the latest research on how students learn math.
Science Educator
Science educators teach science to students in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, and science centers. This course will help you develop the skills you need to teach science effectively using PhET simulations.
Science Curriculum Developer
Science curriculum developers create and develop science curricula for use in schools and other educational settings. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create science curricula that are aligned with the latest research on how students learn science.
Math Educator
Math educators teach math to students in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, and science centers. This course will help you develop the skills you need to teach math effectively using PhET simulations.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create and develop educational materials, including interactive simulations, for use in different learning environments. This course will help you develop the skills you need to create effective and engaging learning experiences using PhET simulations.
Instructional Coach
Instructional coaches provide support and guidance to teachers on a variety of topics, including the use of technology in the classroom. This course will help you develop the skills you need to coach teachers on how to use PhET simulations to improve student learning.
Teacher
Teachers plan and deliver instruction and facilitate learning experiences for students in a variety of academic subjects and grade levels. They use a variety of teaching methods, including simulations, to help students understand complex concepts. This course may be useful for teachers who want to learn how to use PhET simulations to create active learning activities for their students.
STEM Education Specialist
STEM education specialists provide support and guidance to schools and other educational organizations on the teaching of STEM subjects. This course will help you develop the skills you need to help schools use PhET simulations to improve student learning in STEM subjects.
Educational Technology Specialist
Educational technology specialists provide support and guidance to schools and other educational organizations on the use of technology in the classroom. This course will help you develop the skills you need to help schools use PhET simulations to improve student learning.
Technology Integration Specialist
Technology integration specialists help schools and other educational organizations integrate technology into the curriculum. This course will help you develop the skills you need to help schools use PhET simulations to improve student learning.
Curriculum Specialist
Curriculum specialists develop and evaluate curricula for schools and other educational organizations. This course will help you develop the skills you need to develop and evaluate curricula that are aligned with the latest research on how students learn.
Education Researcher
Education researchers conduct research on a variety of topics related to education, including the effectiveness of different teaching methods. This course will help you develop the skills you need to conduct research on the use of PhET simulations in the classroom.
Science Education Consultant
Science education consultants provide guidance and support to schools and other educational organizations on the teaching of science. This course will help you develop the skills you need to advise schools on how to use PhET simulations to improve student learning in science.
Educational Consultant
Educational consultants provide guidance and support to schools and other educational organizations on a variety of topics, including the use of technology in the classroom. This course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to advise schools on how to use PhET simulations to improve student learning.
Education Policy Analyst
Education policy analysts analyze and evaluate education policies and programs. This course will help you develop the skills you need to analyze the impact of education policies on the use of technology in the classroom.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education.
A seminal work that provides a framework for science teaching. It emphasizes the importance of inquiry-based learning and student-centered instruction, which are aligned with the principles of active learning.
An insightful book that emphasizes how simulations can contribute to effective learning. It is useful to understand the integration of simulations in learning environments.
A detailed guide on the use of simulations in science teaching. It is particularly helpful to science educators who are new to using simulations.
A well-respected book that provides a theoretical framework for science education which is useful to instructors who want to understand the broader context of active learning.
A classic in the field of education that provides a comprehensive overview of learning and instruction. It is particularly helpful for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of active learning.
A thought-provoking book that explores the art of teaching science effectively. It offers insights into the importance of creating a positive and supportive learning environment, as well as effective teaching practices.
Provides a framework for using technology in the classroom in a way that supports effective teaching practices. It includes specific examples of how to use different technologies to engage students and improve learning.

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