The growing suite of over 30 free chemistry simulations from the PhET Interactive Simulations project (http://phet.colorado.edu/) represents a rich online resource for undergraduate chemistry students and faculty alike. These research-based, student-tested simulations (<i>sims</i>) are interactive, game-like environments in which students learn chemical concepts through exploration and experimentation, connecting real life phenomena with the underlying sub-microscopic and disciplinary representations.<br/>Here we outline the latest NSF-supported developments in PhET sims for college chemistry, particularly in instructional materials development and research on sim use in instruction. Collaborating with experienced college chemistry faculty teaching in diverse undergraduate classroom environments, we have developed a series of classroom-tested sim-based teaching resources. These resources, including sim-based interactive lecture demonstrations, clicker questions, and guided inquiry activities, support faculty in effectively leveraging the sim in alignment with pedagogically sound teaching practices. Recent research findings on PhET sim use in college chemistry classrooms offer insights into how activity design and guidance in the classroom affect student usage and engagement and how chemistry sims can afford development of both student conceptions and practices.

PhET interactive simulations: Using research-based simulations to transform undergraduate chemistry education

249th National Meeting (2015)

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