PhET Blog

See Area Builder‘s video primer to learn about how you can use this sim to teach students about area and perimeter. Students can explore with rectangular and irregular shapes, discover the relationship between area and perimeter, and apply fractional knowledge as they build shapes with a given area and perimeter.

Try the HTML5 Fraction Matcher simulation. Under For Teachers see the video primer to learn about Fraction Matcher’s features and uses. Need an activity? Scroll down to see  the Teacher-Submitted Activities. Don’t forget that as a teacher, you’ll need to “Sign In” to access these features.

We’ve begun beta testing the new HTML5 translation utility.  So far, so good as we’ve had good reports from our volunteer translators. Once we are finished beta testing, you’ll start seeing translated HTML5 sims and new sims, too!

We’ve been working hard to bring more HTML5 simulations this fall. One of our new physics simulation, Hooke’s Law, is entering Beta testing. Each simulation is extensively tested with students before we make them available on our website. Look for the new simulations soon.

Try PhET’s next-gen interoperable Concentration sim when it’s been linked with our partner metacog‘s rubric-based scoring. Try the task of making a batch of Invisible Ink and see how you do in real time. Learn about metacog’s rubric-based scoring in this video.

We’ve been working hard on the Next-Generation PhET Sims. Our new partner, metacog, Inc., is unlocking the power of these enhanced sims, by linking up PhET’s emerging line of interoperable simulations with metacog deep-learning analytics services. With PhET plus metacog, you can capture student sim interactions, and gain insight on how students approach learning challenges with on-demand playback, automated rubric-based scoring, and real-time visualization capabilities.

For more information, visit http://phet.metacog.com

We are busy working this summer to have more HTML5 sims ready for the 2015-2016 school year, as well as many other improvements to our website and teacher support and development.

Enjoy the summer! And, keep up-to-date with the latest at PhET on our social media sites including PhET’s Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

We are excited to now have individual HTML5 sim pages where you can easily access sample learning goals (under About), Teacher Tips and Activities (under For Teachers), Related Simulations, and Software Requirements. With the new pulldown menus, everything about the simulation is on a single screen. There’s also a link to conveniently access the corresponding original JAVA/Flash sims and their translations.

And don’t forget to help bring more improvements and HTML5 sims by donating at:

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Thanks for your support!

Use the #HTML5 Wave on a String to learn about wave properties. Watch a string vibrate in slow motion. Wiggle the end of the string and make waves, or adjust the frequency and amplitude of an oscillator. Adjust the damping and tension. The end can be fixed, loose, or open.