Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations

Learn how to engage your students and enhance learning in math and science with free virtual labs and simulations from the University of Colorado Boulder's PhET Interactive Simulations project (https://phet.colorado.edu/en). In this specialization, you will explore active learning strategies that you can incorporate into your own classroom, either online or in person. You will also learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning experience by implementing a simulation-based lesson in your own classroom. Founded in 2002 by Nobel Prize winner in physics Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project creates free simulations for science and mathematics that are based on extensive educational research on the design of virtual tools for education and how to successfully implement them in the classroom. This specialization will take approximately 8 weeks (at the suggested pace of 2 weeks per course) and 60 working hours to complete, and includes four courses: (1) Introduction to PhET Simulations for STEM Education (2) Whole Class with PhET for STEM Education (3) Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM education (4) Implementation of PhET Activities for STEM education This specialization is also available in Spanish under the name "Aprendizaje Activo STEM con Simulaciones Interactivas PhET" and in Portuguese under the name "Aprendizagem Ativa STEM com Simulações Interativas PhET"

• Identify PhET resources that meet classroom needs and implement them through active learning
• Encourage student participation using strategies for whole class, groups, and individuals
• Implement a simulation-based teaching activity and evaluate outcomes with reflection tools

• No deep prior experience is required, but basic computer and internet skills are helpful
• Ability to read course instructions in English and complete short practice activities