The PhET Interactive Simulations project (http://phet.colorado.edu) has developed 38 interactive chemistry simulations designed to be highly engaging and educationally effective for students. PhET's simulation design principles draw upon cognitive research on how people learn, discipline-based research on student difficulties with chemistry concepts, and findings from our own research and others' on effective simulation design. The simulations provide interactive environments in which students learn through scientist-like exploration and experimentation. They emphasize the connections between real life phenomena and the underlying science, make the invisible visible, and include the visual models that experts use to aid their thinking. PhET simulations are created by a team of scientists, developers and educators, and their design is informed by student interviews. In this presentation, we will discuss the design principles and processes behind PhET simulations, introduce the suite of chemistry simulations, and highlight the use of PhET in classroom, large lecture, and laboratory environments.

PhET Interactive Simulations: Research and design for chemistry teaching and learning tools

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.