PhET Simulations

Name: PhET Simulations
Author: University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder

VALIDATED

Initial evidence from research studies

For:Educators & TeachersGeneral Public & EnthusiastsKids & Youth

0.99 USD

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App Summary

PhET Simulations provides a suite of interactive, game-like learning tools for students and educators to explore science and math concepts through guided inquiry. An effectiveness study (N=60) found that Grade 10 Physics students who used the simulations achieved significantly higher test scores and reported greater engagement compared to those receiving traditional instruction. The associated research concludes that these simulations can be a valuable tool for enhancing both learning outcomes and student motivation in science education.

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

The PhET Simulations platform, developed at the University of Colorado Boulder, delivers a suite of over 75 interactive HTML5 modules for science and mathematics education. The interface facilitates navigation and selection of specific simulations, which can be organized into custom collections. Each module presents a game-like environment designed to encourage exploration-based learning. The system supports offline use and multi-language translation, enabling integration into diverse instructional settings from individual study to classroom-based pedagogical activities.

Evidence & Research Context

An effectiveness study (N=60) involving Grade 10 Physics students demonstrated that instruction integrating PhET simulations produced significantly higher academic performance scores compared to traditional teaching methods.
In the same study, students in the simulation group reported significantly higher levels of engagement as measured by an instrument based on the National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE).
The simulations are grounded in established design principles derived from cognitive learning research and discipline-based educational studies, refined through extensive student interviews and iterative development.
Associated research documents widespread adoption, with the simulations being utilized globally and translated into more than 65 languages for educational use.

Intended Use & Scope

The platform is intended for use by educators and students in K-12 and higher education settings to supplement science and mathematics curricula. Its primary utility is to facilitate conceptual understanding and scientific inquiry through interactive exploration. The simulations do not constitute a standalone curriculum or include embedded assessments. Most modules currently lack full accessibility support.

Studies & Publications

3 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Effectiveness/Outcome Study

The Effectiveness of PhET Simulation in the Academic Performance and Engagement of Grade 10 Physics Students

Cezar et al. (2024) · figshare

Improved physics test scores and student engagement compared to traditional teaching.

This study explored the impact of computer simulations on Grade 10 Physics students' performance and engagement in Iligan City, Philippines. Sixty students participated, divided into two groups: one using simulations and one using traditional teaching methods. A researcher-made test and a survey based on the National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE) assessed their learning. The key findings revealed that students using simulations scored significantly higher on the Physics test. This suggests computer simulations improve academic performance. Moreover, students using simulations reported feeling more engaged with the learning process. This indicates simulations can boost student engagement. Also, student demographics influenced their academic performance, but not their engagement. Overall, this study suggests that computer simulations can be a valuable tool for enhancing both learning outcomes and student motivation in Physics education.

Development/Design Paper

Insights from Using PhET's Design Principles for Interactive Chemistry Simulations

Lancaster et al. (2013) · ACS Symposium Series

Describes the research-driven development of this app

Since its inception in 2002, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder has developed over 125 interactive simulations to advance science education. In addition to the goal of promoting student conceptual understanding of science, PhET simulations aim to engage students in scientific exploration and to increase student interest in science. PhET simulations are thus designed to be fun and interactive, to connect to the real world, to provide multiple representations, and to allow rapid inquiry cycles. The PhET project is guided by cognitive research on how people learn, discipline-based research on student conceptual understanding, and research on the design of educational tools. We also test each simulation using student interviews and study the use of simulations in a variety of educational settings. Based on this experience, we have developed a set of principles for creating simulations that encourage investigation and sense making. In Part I of this chapter, we introduce our theoretical perspective, project goals, and describe our design principles and process – focusing on their application to interactive chemistry simulations. In Part II, we highlight a number of simulation design challenges specific to chemistry, drawing insights from student interview results.

In the Media

PhET Interactive Simulations Honored with Meggers Project Award

The University of Colorado Boulder's PhET Interactive Simulations team received the American Institute of Physics' prestigious $25,000 William F. and Edith R. Meggers Project Award for their initiative to reshape high school physics education through professional learning courses for teachers. AIP CEO Michael Moloney praised PhET's submission as "an exemplary model, heralded for its innovative approach, sustainability, and scalability." The platform, launched in 2002, now hosts over 170 interactive simulations accessible in more than 130 languages worldwide.

ScienmagRead article

PhET Interactive Simulations

Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman founded PhET Interactive Simulations in 2002 to teach science and math through research-based digital environments that make invisible concepts visible and connect academic ideas to everyday life. The platform's 108 openly-licensed simulations are used over 250 million times per year, translated into 120 languages, and integrated into over 60 partner products including Nearpod and BrainPOP. PhET recently won the Cool Tool Award for "Best Games for Learning / Simulations Solution" as part of The EdTech Awards 2024.

EdtechdigestRead article

Nobel laureate Carl Wieman awarded Yidan Prize for Education Research

Nobel laureate Carl Wieman founded CU Boulder's award-winning PhET Interactive Simulations project to advance STEM education globally, using research-based digital tools and techniques. Wieman received the prestigious Yidan Prize for Education Research, worth nearly $4 million, which he will use to support PhET's mission and expand its global reach. "Through Carl's tremendous generosity, PhET will be able to expand its global reach and impact to improve STEM education globally," according to university officials.

ColoradoRead article

PhET simulations keep students engaged while learning science remotely

The University of Colorado Boulder developed PhET Interactive Simulations to help science teachers keep students engaged in remote learning, using free interactive science simulations that cover topics from atoms to algebra. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, PhET has seen usage increase substantially across the globe, with use in hard-hit countries like Italy and France increasing by 500%. "As schools around the world switch to remote learning, many teachers, students and parents who might not have used any science or math simulations before are now discovering and using PhET's library of simulations for the first time," said Kathy Perkins, director of PhET Interactive Simulations.

ColoradoRead article

PhET simulations keep students engaged while learning science remotely

University of Colorado Boulder developed PhET Interactive Simulations to keep students engaged in remote science learning, using free interactive simulations that cover topics from atoms to algebra. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, usage has increased substantially across the globe, with use in hard-hit countries like Italy and France increasing by 500%. The simulations, which number over 100, have been translated into 90 languages and used in more than 200 countries and territories.

ColoradoRead article

PhET Interactive Simulations Partners with Adaptive Learning Pioneer to Advance Science Education

PhET Interactive Simulations at University of Colorado Boulder partnered with adaptive learning company Smart Sparrow to enable science educators to create customized learning experiences around research-backed interactive simulations. "Through this collaboration, faculty members can access an authoring tool that allows them to control the simulation and learning experiences of every students," said Dr. Kathy Perkins, director of PhET Interactive Simulations. The partnership serves more than 250,000 existing PhET users globally with access to over 140 digital interactive science and math simulations.

InsparkRead article

PhET Interactive Simulations wins global education award

The University of Colorado Boulder developed PhET Interactive Simulations to improve global STEM literacy and accessibility through free, open-source educational software, originally founded by Nobel laureate Carl Wieman using part of his Nobel Prize winnings. The project has been used more than 80 million times a year by students and teachers and recently won the prestigious 2017 WISE Award. "This WISE Award affirms the importance of advancing STEM learning and literacy in today's world and the positive impact high-quality open-educational resources can have at scale," said director Kathy Perkins.

ColoradoRead article

PhET Simulations Provide Interactive Learning Tools

The University of Colorado Boulder developed PhET Interactive Simulations to help students discover answers to physical phenomena questions while improving scientific literacy, using free, interactive, research-based simulations founded by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman. NSF Einstein Fellow Zeke Kossover explained that "PhET allows students to simulate experiments" and "lets students play around in a physics sandbox where they can't break anything and they can try everything." The National Science Foundation provides primary funding support through its education programs for these simulations that serve elementary through university students.

NsfRead article