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written by
Emily B. Moore, Julia Chamberlain, Robert Parson, and Katherine Perkins
Developing fluency across symbolic-, macroscopic-, and particulate-level representations is central to learning chemistry. Within the chemistry education community, animations and simulations that support multi-representational fluency are considered critical. With advances in the accessibility and sophistication of technology, interactive computer simulations are emerging as uniquely powerful tools to support chemistry learning. In this article, we present examples and resources to support successful implementation of PhET interactive simulations. The PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder has developed over 30 interactive simulations for teaching and learning chemistry. PhET simulations provide dynamic access to multiple representations, make the invisible visible, scaffold inquiry, and allow for safe and quick access to multiple trials, while being engaging and fun for students and teachers. The simulations are readily accessible online, and are designed to be flexible tools to support a wide-range of implementation styles and teaching environments. Here, we introduce the PhET project, including the project's goals and design principles. We then highlight two simulations for chemistry, Molecule Polarity and Beer's Law Lab. Finally, we share examples (with resources) of the variety of ways PhET simulations can be used to teach chemistry--in lecture, laboratory, and homework.
Journal of Chemical Education: Volume 91, Issue 8, Pages 1191-1197
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![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=16321">Moore, E, J. Chamberlain, R. Parson, and K. Perkins. "PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry." J. Chem. Educ. 91, no. 8, (July 2, 2014): 1191-1197.</a>
![]() E. Moore, J. Chamberlain, R. Parson, and K. Perkins, , J. Chem. Educ. 91 (8), 1191 (2014), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084).
![]() E. Moore, J. Chamberlain, R. Parson, and K. Perkins, PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry, J. Chem. Educ. 91 (8), 1191 (2014), <https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084>.
![]() Moore, E., Chamberlain, J., Parson, R., & Perkins, K. (2014, July 2). PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry. J. Chem. Educ., 91(8), 1191-1197. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084
![]() Moore, E, J. Chamberlain, R. Parson, and K. Perkins. "PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry." J. Chem. Educ. 91, no. 8, (July 2, 2014): 1191-1197, https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084 (accessed 2 May 2025).
![]() Moore, Emily, Julia Chamberlain, Robert Parson, and Katherine Perkins. "PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry." J. Chem. Educ. 91.8 (2014): 1191-1197. 2 May 2025 <https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084>.
![]() @article{
Author = "Emily Moore and Julia Chamberlain and Robert Parson and Katherine Perkins",
Title = {PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry},
Journal = {J. Chem. Educ.},
Volume = {91},
Number = {8},
Pages = {1191-1197},
Month = {July},
Year = {2014}
}
![]() %A Emily Moore %A Julia Chamberlain %A Robert Parson %A Katherine Perkins %T PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry %J J. Chem. Educ. %V 91 %N 8 %D July 2, 2014 %P 1191-1197 %U https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084 %O text/html ![]() %0 Journal Article %A Moore, Emily %A Chamberlain, Julia %A Parson, Robert %A Perkins, Katherine %D July 2, 2014 %T PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry %J J. Chem. Educ. %V 91 %N 8 %P 1191-1197 %8 July 2, 2014 %U https://doi.org/10.1021/ed4005084 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
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