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interactive simulations from U of Colorado, Boulder. PhET Interactive Simulations is an ongoing effort to provide an extensive suite of simulations to improve the way that physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math are taught and learned. The simulations are interactive tools that enable students to make connections between real life phenomena and the underlying science which explains such phenomena. Our team of scientists, software engineers and science educators use a research-based approach - incorporating findings from prior research and our own testing - to create simulations that support student engagement with and understanding of scientific concepts.

As former elementary science and math education professor, I was always encouraging preservice teachers to teach science and math from a hands-on, minds-on perspective. My goal was single minded in the sense that for students to learn science and math their curiosity must peaked. This was always a challenge because most of these preservice teachers learned science and math by rote memorization of facts. Their prior knowledge and experience had few opportunities to actually investigate science phenomena and truly understand the usefulness of math.

Sample discrepant events are used to cause contradictions in students' prior knowledge and experiences in support of their better understanding of science concepts.

Site that has links to a lot of cool optical illusions

How games promote a different type of mental map that, for certain processes, reduces cognitive load