PhET Interactive Simulations Educational

PhET Interactive Simulations is a project founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman at the University of Colorado Boulder. It creates free interactive math and science simulations based on extensive education research. The platform offers over 150 simulations designed to help students learn through exploration and discovery in an intuitive, game-like environment.

PhET covers a wide range of subjects including physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and mathematics. The simulations are suitable for students from elementary school through university level, with content aligned to educational standards and learning goals.

PhET simulations can be accessed in multiple ways: through their website, via their mobile apps on iOS and Android devices (some apps have a small one-time fee), or through integration with various educational platforms. The simulations work across different devices including laptops, iPads, and Chromebooks, and many are available offline once downloaded.

Yes, numerous studies support the effectiveness of PhET simulations across diverse goals and contexts, with over 3,000 research articles cited on Google Scholar. The simulations are designed based on education research and are used over 250 million times per year globally. They are particularly effective when combined with proper teacher guidance and integrated into structured learning activities.

PhET provides comprehensive teacher support including over 3,000 teacher-contributed lessons and activities, a 45-hour Virtual Workshop for professional development (available on the PhET website or Coursera), and various teaching resources such as lesson plans and activity sheets. Teachers can also find guidelines for implementing simulations effectively in their classrooms.

Yes, PhET simulations have been translated into 120 different languages, making them accessible to a global audience. This multilingual support helps make science and math education more accessible to students worldwide.