Science and Math Learning Exercises
PhET Interactive Simulations Area Builder
Personal Reaction:
This site allows students to run simulations that involve math and science. In the example provided, students can manipulate different blocks to help them visualize what area looks like in different forms. Students can move the blocks around and change the perimeter value while keeping the area the same. One cool feature it has is the ability to have two grids going at the same time so you can compare two shapes with the same area, but with different perimeters. In Engineering, we cover the properties of shapes. These shapes all have area and perimeter. Often times, we have problems that will require a specific shape or area, and it is important to understand how that shape could affect the perimeter of the shape.
Ease of Use:
This simulation is very easy for students to use. They can simply drag and drop the shapes into the grid to check and re-check their values against what they would expect to happen.
Educational Value:
This is a good simulation for students to check their work, or to introduce them to a concept. They can play with the shapes before even knowing what they are doing or what they are supposed to be learning. I think it would make a great introduction to the topic of area and perimeter.
Age Appropriateness:
Any students that are investigating area and perimeter would be helped by this simulation. It would lend itself to younger students though because it is very simple and doesn’t offer much for interactiveness.
Personal Reaction:
This site allows students to run simulations that involve math and science. In the example provided, students can manipulate different blocks to help them visualize what area looks like in different forms. Students can move the blocks around and change the perimeter value while keeping the area the same. One cool feature it has is the ability to have two grids going at the same time so you can compare two shapes with the same area, but with different perimeters. In Engineering, we cover the properties of shapes. These shapes all have area and perimeter. Often times, we have problems that will require a specific shape or area, and it is important to understand how that shape could affect the perimeter of the shape.
Ease of Use:
This simulation is very easy for students to use. They can simply drag and drop the shapes into the grid to check and re-check their values against what they would expect to happen.
Educational Value:
This is a good simulation for students to check their work, or to introduce them to a concept. They can play with the shapes before even knowing what they are doing or what they are supposed to be learning. I think it would make a great introduction to the topic of area and perimeter.
Age Appropriateness:
Any students that are investigating area and perimeter would be helped by this simulation. It would lend itself to younger students though because it is very simple and doesn’t offer much for interactiveness.
Science Kids Electricity Circuits
Personal Reaction:
This is a pretty good simulation that would introduce students to the most basic concepts of electrical circuits. It does not go into a lot of detail of how to build circuits, but allows the user to get right into playing with a circuit. I like it, but it is definitely a beginner’s simulation. A really cool feature is that you can add a very long wire that has been coiled up. When adding that coil of wire, it is presumed that the resistance was raised and the lights have gone dim. The actual area and volume of the wire has been changed, which has a correlation with the resistance of the circuit.
Ease of Use:
This is a very simple simulation that has the student play with a few simple components in an electrical circuit. The first level tells you if you were right with the question it was asking, but further challenges just allow you to play with the circuit. It doesn’t necessarily let you know if you were right or not. I found this to be a little frustrating, and I would expect that students would as well.
Educational Value:
The educational value of this simulation is to have the student play with basic circuits. Without any prior knowledge, the user can easily change out some components and see what it causes. The wording of the challenges is very basic, so you don’t have to try to figure out any complex parts of the circuit. It would be a good introduction to students who do not have any background or prior knowledge of electrical circuits.
Age Appropriateness:
This simulation would be age appropriate for middle school students who are just getting started with electricity. It might be relevant to use it with high school students, but their interest would fall off quickly. With younger students though, they would have immediate success, and would want to go further. It would be a great lead in to other, more advanced simulations.
Personal Reaction:
This is a pretty good simulation that would introduce students to the most basic concepts of electrical circuits. It does not go into a lot of detail of how to build circuits, but allows the user to get right into playing with a circuit. I like it, but it is definitely a beginner’s simulation. A really cool feature is that you can add a very long wire that has been coiled up. When adding that coil of wire, it is presumed that the resistance was raised and the lights have gone dim. The actual area and volume of the wire has been changed, which has a correlation with the resistance of the circuit.
Ease of Use:
This is a very simple simulation that has the student play with a few simple components in an electrical circuit. The first level tells you if you were right with the question it was asking, but further challenges just allow you to play with the circuit. It doesn’t necessarily let you know if you were right or not. I found this to be a little frustrating, and I would expect that students would as well.
Educational Value:
The educational value of this simulation is to have the student play with basic circuits. Without any prior knowledge, the user can easily change out some components and see what it causes. The wording of the challenges is very basic, so you don’t have to try to figure out any complex parts of the circuit. It would be a good introduction to students who do not have any background or prior knowledge of electrical circuits.
Age Appropriateness:
This simulation would be age appropriate for middle school students who are just getting started with electricity. It might be relevant to use it with high school students, but their interest would fall off quickly. With younger students though, they would have immediate success, and would want to go further. It would be a great lead in to other, more advanced simulations.
EdHead Activities Crash Scene Investigation
Personal Reaction:
WOW! This is an awesome, interactive simulation that is designed for students in 9-12 grade. You can begin by choosing Calculations and Forces in the opening menu. Students use a print out that includes predetermined calculations used in determining where two cars were located in an intersection prior to a crash. They follow along with the investigator during the investigation and plug in the variables from their chart. Along the way, they are using algebra equations to figure everything out. In my engineering classes, I am always looking for examples of calculating vectors that are not just the same old boat crossing the rushing river scenario. This simulation gives a good real world situation that students can immediately relate to.
Ease of use:
As long as you have access to the print out that accompanies this simulation, this is very easy to follow along with. Your answers will be slightly different each time, because the measurement tools don’t snap to any particular spot on the screen. The instructions are well written, and it is engaging for the user.
Educational Value:
This simulation has a lot of educational value. Almost every student has seen a fender bender on the road, and many don’t realize that there is a lot of math involved in figuring out what actually happened. This simulation doesn’t have anything special for students to do in math, so it fits right into the math curriculum, but adds a real world view to using math.
Age Appropriateness:
This simulation is appropriate for students who are taking Geometry or are ready to start exploring geometric concepts. It walks the user through the process enough that they can be successful, but still has them doing calculations. I would not recommend this simulation for younger groups though. The concepts are more advanced than other simulations I have seen.
Personal Reaction:
WOW! This is an awesome, interactive simulation that is designed for students in 9-12 grade. You can begin by choosing Calculations and Forces in the opening menu. Students use a print out that includes predetermined calculations used in determining where two cars were located in an intersection prior to a crash. They follow along with the investigator during the investigation and plug in the variables from their chart. Along the way, they are using algebra equations to figure everything out. In my engineering classes, I am always looking for examples of calculating vectors that are not just the same old boat crossing the rushing river scenario. This simulation gives a good real world situation that students can immediately relate to.
Ease of use:
As long as you have access to the print out that accompanies this simulation, this is very easy to follow along with. Your answers will be slightly different each time, because the measurement tools don’t snap to any particular spot on the screen. The instructions are well written, and it is engaging for the user.
Educational Value:
This simulation has a lot of educational value. Almost every student has seen a fender bender on the road, and many don’t realize that there is a lot of math involved in figuring out what actually happened. This simulation doesn’t have anything special for students to do in math, so it fits right into the math curriculum, but adds a real world view to using math.
Age Appropriateness:
This simulation is appropriate for students who are taking Geometry or are ready to start exploring geometric concepts. It walks the user through the process enough that they can be successful, but still has them doing calculations. I would not recommend this simulation for younger groups though. The concepts are more advanced than other simulations I have seen.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives Turtle Geometry
Personal Reaction:
This is a really good simulation that both teaches spatial geometry, but also beginning programming. It has the user program moves for a digital turtle to execute. It is in their 6-8 grade section and appears that it is designed for younger users. I really like this throw back simulation because it shows the user that geometric shapes have to be created with very specific vectors. The user can draw a “circle” using vectors. With many small vectors, you can give the appearance of a circular shape. This is important to understand how computer graphics work.
Ease of Use:
This simulation is somewhat challenging to use at first. At the bottom of the window, there is a list of used program icons. You are directed to plan out your route before programming it. Using the history of chosen commands, you can accurately program your turtle to navigate a course of your choosing.
Educational Value:
This simulation has value in showing that geometric shapes can be created with vectors. It is not immediately known that you can create curves with straight lines, but the user can simulate these in this app. I find it to be a good addition to a lesson on vectors. I would not use it to directly teach about vectors though.
Age Appropriateness:
The website has this simulation in the 6-8 grade section, but I would feel comfortable using it with high school students as well. It works well to demonstrate vectors, and if you were learning about different vectors, it would be a good addition to that lesson.
Personal Reaction:
This is a really good simulation that both teaches spatial geometry, but also beginning programming. It has the user program moves for a digital turtle to execute. It is in their 6-8 grade section and appears that it is designed for younger users. I really like this throw back simulation because it shows the user that geometric shapes have to be created with very specific vectors. The user can draw a “circle” using vectors. With many small vectors, you can give the appearance of a circular shape. This is important to understand how computer graphics work.
Ease of Use:
This simulation is somewhat challenging to use at first. At the bottom of the window, there is a list of used program icons. You are directed to plan out your route before programming it. Using the history of chosen commands, you can accurately program your turtle to navigate a course of your choosing.
Educational Value:
This simulation has value in showing that geometric shapes can be created with vectors. It is not immediately known that you can create curves with straight lines, but the user can simulate these in this app. I find it to be a good addition to a lesson on vectors. I would not use it to directly teach about vectors though.
Age Appropriateness:
The website has this simulation in the 6-8 grade section, but I would feel comfortable using it with high school students as well. It works well to demonstrate vectors, and if you were learning about different vectors, it would be a good addition to that lesson.