Teaching STEM with PhET Simulations: A Beginner's Guide

Traditional STEM teaching often struggles to make abstract scientific and mathematical concepts tangible for students. By utilizing PhET simulations, educators can guide learners through virtual exploration and inquiry-based discovery. This course prepares you to confidently select, design, and integrate PhET simulations into your curriculum, transitioning from traditional lecturing to facilitating active, student-led scientific inquiry. What you'll learn: Understand the foundational principles of inquiry-based learning and how PhET simulations support student discovery; Identify and select the right simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics; Design structured lesson plans and open-ended inquiry prompts that guide student exploration; Apply modern active learning strategies to facilitate both in-person and remote STEM lessons; Configure scaffolding techniques to support diverse learners and ensure inclusive digital classroom practices. You will start with the foundational concepts of STEM pedagogy and the design philosophy behind PhET. From there, you will study practical strategies for lesson planning, student guidance, and assessing conceptual understanding through written guides and text-based lesson walkthroughs. This course is designed for current and aspiring K-12 teachers, tutors, and STEM educators. No prior experience with digital simulation tools is required. Start transforming your STEM lessons into engaging exploration spaces today.