TeachersFirst's Simulation Resources

Educational simulations offer immersive learning experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice for students across various disciplines. These resources allow students to explore, experiment, and problem-solve in risk-free settings. Science simulations enable virtual lab experiments, while historical simulations transport students to pivotal moments in time, and language simulations create authentic conversational scenarios. By providing immediate feedback and encouraging active learning, simulations help students develop critical thinking skills, improve decision-making abilities, and gain deeper insights into various topics. Simulations offer great differentiation options for students who may need extra support. 

   

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OER Project's The Silk Roads - OER Project's The Silk Roads

Grades
6 to 10
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Explore this site, which offers two articles, a video, and an activity. The nine-minute video allows you to pause at key points to discuss. In the simulation activity, you will ...more
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Explore this site, which offers two articles, a video, and an activity. The nine-minute video allows you to pause at key points to discuss. In the simulation activity, you will become a merchant who engages in the flow of goods and services across the region. Discover why individuals took financial and personal risks to make a profit and how the Silk Road affected communities.

tag(s): asia (109), china (80)

In the Classroom

Students can watch the video, read the articles, and complete the stimulation activity. Students can video record themselves doing the stimulation activity, showing others how the Silk Roads goods and services traveled. Students can share their experiences and debate the value of the Silk Road to trade. Finally, students can compare the Silk Road to other ancient civilizations' trade.

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Virtual Science Teacher - Virtual Science Teachers

Grades
K to 12
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Virtual Science Teachers is an interactive website offering live, online science tutoring sessions for students in grades K-12. It provides personalized support in various science subjects,...more
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Virtual Science Teachers is an interactive website offering live, online science tutoring sessions for students in grades K-12. It provides personalized support in various science subjects, aligning with national standards and catering to students' individual needs. Teachers can integrate this resource into their classrooms to supplement lessons, offer additional support for struggling students, or enhance the learning experience for those seeking enrichment. With its flexible scheduling and expert tutors, Virtual Science Teachers is a valuable tool for fostering science engagement and mastery in a dynamic, one-on-one setting.

tag(s): charts and graphs (170), genetics (81), scientific method (48), simulations (14), STEM (288), water (101)

In the Classroom

Assign students the Virtual Heating Ice Lab when teaching states of matter or phase changes. Use the Punnett Square Squares Simulation to predict the traits of offspring by filling in Punnett squares to determine whether peas will be yellow or green, round or wrinkly. Use the Water Filtration Challenge during environmental science lessons focused on water conservation and management. Have students compare their virtual filter designs, then transition to a hands-on lab where they build a simple water filtration system. Introduce students to the scientific method by using the Design an Experiment tool. This activity encourages students to design and conduct experiments that test people's ability to complete tasks under different conditions.

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MultiSim Live Circuit Simulator - National Instruments

Grades
6 to 12
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Multisim is an interactive online platform designed for circuit simulation and electronic design. It provides teachers a practical tool for teaching electrical engineering and electronics...more
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Multisim is an interactive online platform designed for circuit simulation and electronic design. It provides teachers a practical tool for teaching electrical engineering and electronics concepts through hands-on simulations. The website allows students to design, simulate, and test circuits in a virtual environment, making it ideal for classroom use in STEM education. Multisim offers several free features, including a free software trial, educational resources like tutorials and guides, pre-built circuit simulation examples, and access to recorded webinars and instructional videos. Additionally, the platform includes pre-built templates, components, and analysis tools to help students understand circuit behavior, enabling teachers to create engaging lab activities, project-based learning, and real-world problem-solving tasks. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): circuits (21), electricity (62), engineering (127), simulations (14), STEM (288)

In the Classroom

Organize a challenge where students must design a circuit that meets specific criteria, such as creating a basic amplifier or a light-activated switch. Have students research a real-world electronic device and identify its key circuits. Assign students to explore different electronic components available in Multisim, such as capacitors, inductors, and diodes. After designing and simulating a circuit in Multisim, students can collect data on its performance and represent their findings on graphs and charts on a resource such as Canva Infographic Creator reviewed here.

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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Simulations - TeachersFirst

Grades
K to 12
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2024. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Learn how to integrate
...more
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from October 2024. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Learn how to integrate learning simulations like Quandry and MissionUS into your classroom! During this engaging session, participants will learn to distinguish between simulations and learning games, explore the unique benefits of each, and discover strategies to inspire and engage students through interactive learning experiences. Whether you're new to educational simulations or looking to deepen your understanding, this free workshop offers valuable insights and practical techniques that will enhance student learning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Differentiate simulations and learning games, noting their benefits. 2. Integrate simulations to meet learning objectives. 3. Reflect on ways simulations can enhance learning. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): professional development (373), simulations (14)

In the Classroom

The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.

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Humy - Humy.ai

Grades
4 to 12
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Chat with over 1,000 historical figures, from Tutankhamun to Michael Jackson, with Humy's chatbots, or Humies. Create an account, then visit the Humies to search for specific characters...more
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Chat with over 1,000 historical figures, from Tutankhamun to Michael Jackson, with Humy's chatbots, or Humies. Create an account, then visit the Humies to search for specific characters or scroll through options that include diverse groups such as Greek Gods and Space Exploration. Select a character to begin your conversation and ask questions. Additional tools found on Humy include lesson planning and question generation tools. Visit the collections to find options to edit and share curated collections. The free subscription consists of 800 messages (renewed monthly, approximately 25-30 chat conversations) and access to over 40 history collections; however, activating a collection uses many more credits than individual chat conversations.

tag(s): american revolution (82), art history (93), artificial intelligence (169), authors (106), black history (130), chat (41), civil rights (201), civil war (138), DAT device agnostic tool (146), environment (246), great depression (30), greeks (41), presidents (135), religions (89), renaissance (38), space (216), Teacher Utilities (183), women (146), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (160)

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free account provided by Humy to generate conversations on your interactive whiteboard with historical figures to introduce new lessons and units and engage students in upcoming activities. For example, before reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, select her name from the Humies to have a conversation to learn about her inspiration for writing the book and allow students to ask questions about her writing style and how she developed her storytelling skills. Use the chat conversations as a starting point for research projects on historical figures or periods. Ask students to share their projects by creating websites with Google Sites, reviewed here or by using Google My Maps, reviewed here to create an interactive story based on locations on the map.

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Scale City - The Road to Proportional Reasoning - Kentucky Educational Television

Grades
5 to 8
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Explore unique roadside attractions in Kentucky while you learn about the mathematics of scale with Scale City. A short video field trip and an engaging, interactive simulation help...more
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Explore unique roadside attractions in Kentucky while you learn about the mathematics of scale with Scale City. A short video field trip and an engaging, interactive simulation help you understand proportional reasoning at each stop. Follow the suggested route, to begin with simpler concepts and move to more complex ones, or discover individual stops of your choosing. Visit any links to find support materials for teachers, including additional activities and teaching guides.

tag(s): baseball (32), dinosaurs (42), geometric shapes (135), measurement (123), musical instruments (50), painting (55), time (91)

In the Classroom

Be sure to include this site on your class web page for students to access both in and outside of class for further practice. Have students create maps using Zeemaps, reviewed here, displaying information from roadside attractions found on Scale City. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location on a map where the attraction takes place.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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MIT Project Management Game - MIT Sloan School of Management

Grades
9 to 12
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This simulation lets participants become project managers of a complex project such as a new construction, hardware, or software project. Along the way, they learn how to manage budgets,...more
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This simulation lets participants become project managers of a complex project such as a new construction, hardware, or software project. Along the way, they learn how to manage budgets, schedules, and staff and time management skills while receiving detailed feedback on the project's progress. Begin your project by selecting the "play simulation" link in the box near the bottom of the page; then, students select to play as an individual or class. Choose the educator link to verify that you are an educator and receive a code to set up your class.

tag(s): careers (141), gifted (66), Project Based Learning (23), STEM (288)

In the Classroom

Use this simulation as a project-based learning activity to teach students about management careers, software development, and similar careers. Have students create individual projects or groups to work on a single project. Extend learning by asking students to generate progress reports throughout the process, including screenshots of their progress, reflections upon choices made, and possible changes to make within projects to increase success. Have students use Google Sites, reviewed here or another free website creation tool to share their journey throughout the project, which includes a final review document.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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SchoolAI - SchoolAI, Inc.

Grades
K to 12
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SchoolAI provides a suite of artificial intelligence (AI)- based tools and resources for K-12 classrooms. In addition, AI features provide feedback and allows educators to moderate...more
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SchoolAI provides a suite of artificial intelligence (AI)- based tools and resources for K-12 classrooms. In addition, AI features provide feedback and allows educators to moderate and manage student use of resources such as the Sidekick assistant. SchoolAI offers many easy-to-create student activities, such as the Historic Figure Chatbot, Book Explorer, Choose Your Own Adventure, and chat-based Tutoring Sessions for any subject. Use the discover feature to choose an activity, then provide the requested information. Most activities include an option to view a preview or try the activity out before being added to Spaces. After adding an activity to your Spaces, it is shared with students using the URL or QR code provided.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (169), assessment (143), chat (41), churchill (8), darwin (13), Formative Assessment (71), leonardo davinci (3), lincoln (66), martin luther king (45), newton (21), shakespeare (99), Special Needs (53), Teacher Utilities (183), washington (28)

In the Classroom

Use SchoolAI to create and share engaging activities with all students and for all subjects. For example, differentiate text easily to fit the abilities of all students, generate a list of engaging activities for any topic, or quickly create a worksheet or multiple choice quiz as a formative assessment. As students engage in chats with historical figures or choose your own adventure activities, ask them to use the information learned as a starting point for additional research. Use Symbaloo, reviewed here or another curation tool to collect and share additional resources with students, such as videos, online articles, and book suggestions. As a final extended learning activity, ask students to share their learning using Sway, reviewed here, Genially, reviewed here, or Adobe Creative Cloud Express, reviewed here to create multimedia presentations. This tool would also be great to share with gifted students. As always, use best practices when sharing AI tools with students.

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iThrive Sim- Digital Simulation Games - ithrive games

Grades
9 to 12
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Engage and enhance students' civic and social-emotional learning (SEL) using simulations by iThrive Sim. The simulations are for high school students in social studies, history, and...more
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Engage and enhance students' civic and social-emotional learning (SEL) using simulations by iThrive Sim. The simulations are for high school students in social studies, history, and humanities classes. The digital simulations are designed to support student-driven learning, and the storyline is determined by the actions students take together. The page includes links to three learning scenarios where teachers can preview the game. Registration with a school email address is required to play. The resources on this site are designed for high school students.

tag(s): collaboration (90), flipped learning (8), game based learning (187), Online Learning (36), simulations (14), social and emotional learning (95)

In the Classroom

Teachers can find links to individual games, downloadable curricula for various video games, lesson plans, and teaching resources. These game simulations are designed to build skills in decision-making, understanding bias, compromise, advocacy, and collaboration among students. The games support face-to-face interaction and can also be adapted to the needs of online and hybrid learning environments.

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Geo-fs Flight Simulator - GeoFS

Grades
6 to 12
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Teachers can take a trip around the world without leaving their classrooms! Geo-fs.com is a free online flight simulator with an open-source platform to render the global landscape...more
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Teachers can take a trip around the world without leaving their classrooms! Geo-fs.com is a free online flight simulator with an open-source platform to render the global landscape you can fly over. This free site will work on any modern web browser, including Chromebooks! You can choose to control your plane with keyboard controls, a mouse, or a joystick. A large ad on the center of the home screen looks like it will run the game. Read the screen carefully to ensure you are not clicking on an ad. A chat feature on the site may cause the site to be blocked at your school. Always test resources before using them in the classroom to be sure they function and are appropriate for your students.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): aviation (40), virtual field trips (119)

In the Classroom

There are various uses for this flight simulator, from a simple flight for exploring the land below to learning more advanced aviation skills. Your students can experience different parts of the world using the Geo-fs flight simulator. Use this site to learn the geography of a region or study various landscapes. Teachers can create a virtual field or lit trips by making a flight plan for their students to follow. Create a challenge or virtual race for your students to complete; the possibilities are endless!

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Economic Games - Nicolas Gruyer and Nicolas Toublanc

Grades
8 to 12
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Economic Games offers over 40 multiplayer games and 14 simulations to learn economic concepts. Game topics vary from impacts of patents on research and development to an introduction...more
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Economic Games offers over 40 multiplayer games and 14 simulations to learn economic concepts. Game topics vary from impacts of patents on research and development to an introduction to the stock market. All games include complete details and an introductory demo. To create multiplayer games the instructor selects the number of players and chooses the Get Logins link. Student logins and passwords display in a popup; players use this information to access and begin play. Be sure to view the How to Play link for full information on starting and sharing games. The site was created in France, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English. Currency is in Euros, not dollars.

tag(s): business (52), financial literacy (91), game based learning (187), simulations (14), stock market (11)

In the Classroom

Include games from this site as part of economics and financial literacy lessons. This site is perfect for use with gifted students for independent study with peers. After completing games, ask students to use a digital storytelling tool like Book Creator, reviewed here, to explain complex financial concepts in an easy to understand manner.

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LOOPY - Nick Case

Grades
9 to 12
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LOOPY is a drawing tool for thinking in systems and experimenting with simulations. Play with examples of basic ecology, depression & anxiety, or automation & job loss to get a ...more
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LOOPY is a drawing tool for thinking in systems and experimenting with simulations. Play with examples of basic ecology, depression & anxiety, or automation & job loss to get a feel for the features of LOOPY. View tutorials for modifying existing models or create your own from scratch. When finished, share with the URL or embed code.

tag(s): drawing (61), gifted (66)

In the Classroom

Share LOOPY with students then have them explore the features included on the shared models. LOOPY would work well in classes with gifted students as an exploration project of different cause and effect relationship influences. Use the embed code to share student examples and explanations on your class website.

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My Physics Lab - Erik Neumann

Grades
8 to 12
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Discover a large variety of physics simulations and interactives at My Physics Lab. Each simulation also includes an explanation of the math and physics involved. Also, check out the...more
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Discover a large variety of physics simulations and interactives at My Physics Lab. Each simulation also includes an explanation of the math and physics involved. Also, check out the How Does it Work? section of the site for help with the simulations and information on the math and software involved. Requires Java software.

tag(s): molecules (43), motion (50), newton (21)

In the Classroom

Since My Physics Lab requires Java software to run the interactives, be sure it's installed on your classroom computers before students try to use it. Introduce activities on an interactive whiteboard to explore physics concepts together. Allow students to investigate the site on their own, then have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Infogram, reviewed here.

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The Stock Market Game - Securities Industry and Financial Markets Assoc Foundation

Grades
4 to 12
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Using hands-on lessons, students work in teams to learn the basics of investing, create $100,000 portfolios, manage an investment portfolio in a real-world scenario of a dynamic marketplace,...more
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Using hands-on lessons, students work in teams to learn the basics of investing, create $100,000 portfolios, manage an investment portfolio in a real-world scenario of a dynamic marketplace, learn other economic concepts, and compete against teams across the globe while fostering teamwork and decision-making skills. Created in 1977 by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Foundation, The Stock Market Game (SMG) is an online simulation game for teaching students about the global capital markets and the stock market. Teachers must register for their school and students and then will receive essential information on program requirements and important dates. Adults are welcome to play after completing the online registration.

tag(s): business (52), DAT device agnostic tool (146), game based learning (187), investing (8), money (114), stock market (11)

In the Classroom

Participants who register as "Teachers with Classes" receive extensive teacher support, including a searchable library of standards, curriculum materials, and assessments. While providing real-world practice, SMG engages students in the core academic subjects, such as math, English, and economics. Lesson plans include Teacher Background and materials to implement the lesson with students. Find more information by perusing additional publications, links, and other resources. Contact a local SMG Coordinator for additional assistance. Use the game in individual classes, school-wide, in after school clubs, or with home-schoolers. Encourage families to play at home together or collaborate with others. Additional benefits include higher math and financial literacy scores on tests by students who play SMG. Also, teachers report that the program even taught them about financial planning, research, and investing wisely. Because this is ongoing activity, enhance learning with the use of technology throughout. Have students share financial resource sites using a bookmarking tool like Papaly, reviewed here. In addition to curating and sharing bookmarks, Papaly allows you the opportunity to add notes and comments to sites shared. Have students use a video creation tool like Powtoon, reviewed here, to make explainer videos of financial concepts. Ask groups of students to produce and share podcasts (perhaps weekly or bi-weekly) to discuss their learning and progress within the Stock Market Game. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is a free tool for creating and sharing podcasts.

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Interactives & Simulations: Weather, Climate & Atmosphere Education - UCAR Center for Science Education

Grades
5 to 12
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This site provides a small, but worthwhile, selection of interactives and simulations related to the weather and climate. Choose from interesting activities such as launching a virtual...more
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This site provides a small, but worthwhile, selection of interactives and simulations related to the weather and climate. Choose from interesting activities such as launching a virtual balloon to examining layers of the earth's atmosphere, or "building" a tree using different climate options. Each activity includes a full explanation and many include additional links or extension activities.

tag(s): arctic (40), atmosphere (22), carbon dioxide (10), climate (82), climate change (94), hurricanes (32), solar energy (34), sun (71), trees (18)

In the Classroom

Introduce Interactives & Simulations on an interactive whiteboard or projector then allow students to explore on their own. Be sure to provide a link on your class website or blog for students to explore at home. Enhance learning by having students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links to demonstrate information learned from this site. Use a tool such as Image Annotator, reviewed here, for younger students, or Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here. Alternatively students could create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as WordItOut, reviewed here.

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NationStates - Max Barry

Grades
6 to 12
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There are plenty of simulation interactives for major life events such as pandemics, but what happens in everyday life? NationStates brings to life daily decisions. This multiplayer...more
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There are plenty of simulation interactives for major life events such as pandemics, but what happens in everyday life? NationStates brings to life daily decisions. This multiplayer online interactive features you as the head of your nation to create and shape how you see fit. To get started, create your nation by giving it a name. Customize various aspects, such as the flag, history, and national animal. Then get into the heart of your nation: political, social, and economic issues. These choices determine the initial status of your nation. As you play, these problems will change with your choices. Every day an issue is presented and the choices you make affect the outcome of your nation. Your choices become the national law in your nation. Warning: There is one problem a day, but you can change that to two in your account settings. As you play, various aspects of your nation change and the type of government shifts (maybe even including anarchy). Choose to stay an independent nation or join others to create a region. Participate in the World Assembly (the pretend U.N.). View debates in the forum that actually touch on current events in the game and in real life. One thing to note: If you are not attentive to the issues that come up each day, the game ends quickly. The good news is that it takes very little time to view the issue, act, and see the result. Note: This interactive is loosely based on the novel Jennifer Government by Max Barry.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): foreign policy (12), money (114), politics (117), sociology (23)

In the Classroom

Students can use this interactive individually, making connections to their choice, results, and connections to actual world events, present and past. Additionally, students can join a region and see how their decisions affect other nations. A great lesson is to allow students to run their nation according to their political views and see the results as they unfold through play. Be sure to treat this seriously as the issues presented here are actual issues that governments must deal with daily. Even making a decision within your political viewpoint can lead to results that are not anticipated. Require students to discuss their viewpoint, why they believe they are right, the resulting consequence, and how it has changed what they believe. Following the play, give time for students to research an initiative or action a country made and the resulting consequences that have resulted. Present, discuss, or debate these with the class. Allow every student in class to have a voice by using a student response system such as Infuse Learning, reviewed here, or GoSoapBox, reviewed here.

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Killer Asteroids - Space Science Institute

Grades
6 to 12
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Killer Asteroids: Science Fiction or Science Fact? Make up your mind by exploring physics-based interactives, interesting articles, and asteroid simulations. Select the topic of asteroids...more
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Killer Asteroids: Science Fiction or Science Fact? Make up your mind by exploring physics-based interactives, interesting articles, and asteroid simulations. Select the topic of asteroids to explore primers on asteroids vs comets; find out what happens when asteroids and comets hit the earth. Discover how backyard astronomers aid researchers in watching asteroids. One fun activity simulates the damage caused on earth by different size asteroids and comets. Choose your hometown to see what would happen! The activities require Flash, however there is a lot of information to be learned at this site. The Games do NOT require Flash.

tag(s): earth (184), light (54), planets (111), space (216)

In the Classroom

This site is excellent for enrichment or to engage interest in space science. Include it on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage reviewed here. Include links to the interactive activities on classroom computers. Although the educators link has a somewhat limited amount of resources, be sure to check them out for classroom materials and links to benchmarks.
 This resource requires Adobe Flash.

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Quandary - Learning Games Network

Grades
3 to 9
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Quandary is an online simulation in ethical decision-making while building a new colony on the planet Braxos. Face decisions without right or wrong answers but that have implications...more
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Quandary is an online simulation in ethical decision-making while building a new colony on the planet Braxos. Face decisions without right or wrong answers but that have implications on you and others in the colony. This activity was created for students ages 8-14. Login is optional to save scores or track and assess student performance or you can play as a guest. The game includes four different episodes with each containing different scenarios for decision-making. View information on the game, extension questions and more within the teachers and parents portions of the site. Find lesson plans, standards mapping (matched to Common Core ELA standards), and printable materials within the teachers section for classroom use. Don't miss the introduction video, under Families, explaining the site!

tag(s): creativity (86), critical thinking (121), ethics (21), game based learning (187), social and emotional learning (95)

In the Classroom

Try this activity on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). Create a quick poll (with no membership required) using Poll Everywhere, reviewed here, to view students' choices of actions to take throughout the game. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos using Adobe Creative Cloud Express Video Maker, reviewed here, explaining what they learned and sharing them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here, to explain the decision-making process for different scenarios.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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CK-12 - CK-12 Foundation

Grades
5 to 12
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CK-12 offers a large variety of lessons and resources in STEM topics mostly geared for sixth grade and higher. Choose to access the site as a student or teacher to ...more
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CK-12 offers a large variety of lessons and resources in STEM topics mostly geared for sixth grade and higher. Choose to access the site as a student or teacher to begin. Search by specific content or to find standards-aligned flexbook textbooks. Download flexbooks in several formats such as PDF or mobi and epub format for use on Kindle and e-readers. Create an account and add flexbooks to your list. Add your own files and resources. Specific topic searches provide links to information from flexbooks as well as available study aids, activities, and assessments.

tag(s): atoms (44), cells (83), charts and graphs (170), decades (7), energy (131), equations (118), fractions (159), genetics (81), inequalities (25), landforms (37), measurement (123), oceans (147), organisms (15), periodic table (46), probability (98), pythagorean theorem (18), rocks (35), scientific method (48), seasons (37), solar energy (34), solar system (108), statistics (120), STEM (288), test prep (69), variables (14)

In the Classroom

Introduce CK-12 to your students (and parents) on your interactive whiteboard and demonstrate ways to use the site at home. Be sure to create a link to the site on your class website or blog for easy access at any time. Create an account and upload your own resources and activities to create your own flexbooks for use with students. CK-12 is available in many languages. Use this site with your ESL/ELL students as a supplement to classroom resources.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

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Solar System Scope - Sunaeon

Grades
4 to 12
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Use this well designed 3D simulation to show the position of the sun and moon from any point on Earth. See the positions instantly in real time or choose a ...more
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Use this well designed 3D simulation to show the position of the sun and moon from any point on Earth. See the positions instantly in real time or choose a past or future time. Hover over the Moon to view the current moon phase. Sunrise and sunset times are also given. Choose different locations on Earth (it gives you the latitude and longitude) to see the differences. There is a lot of information hidden in the interactive, so explore carefully.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): earth (184), map skills (59), moon (72), planets (111), seasons (37), solar system (108), sun (71), time zones (7)

In the Classroom

The change in seasons is a difficult concept for students to understand. Use this interactive tool to show the sun's position at various times of the year and how the sunrise and sunset times change. This is terrific to share on an interactive whiteboard or projector, then have elementary (or even middle school) students "act out" the roles of sun. moon, and earth by moving about the room. Turn down the music to avoid distraction. Show how sunrise and sunset are also different at various points on the globe. Allow students the opportunity to play with the tool first and ask them what they notice and what questions they have. Inquire together to understand the various concepts. Share on an interactive whiteboard or projector with a student emcee to run the inquiry. Be sure to include this site with your study of map skills, longitude, and latitude so students can see how our maps and nature's actions fit together.

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