Free simulations for math and science. Discover the power of interactive PhET simulations and learn how to integrate them into active learning strategies to engage your students and enhance their learning.

Zachariah Mbasu +1 more instructor

Offered By

Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

What you will learn

Learn what makes PhET simulations unique.
Find simulations that are relevant to your classes.
Design your first PhET activity.
Reflect on inquiry learning in education.

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

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 plan 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 9 weeks and 45 working hours to complete and includes three courses: (1) Introduction to PhET Simulations for STEM Education (2) Activity Design with PhET simulations for STEM education (3) Implementation of PhET Activities for STEM education This specialization is also available in Spanish under the name "Aprendizaje Activo STEM con Simulaciones Interactivas PhET."

Applied Learning Project

In this specialization, you will use PhET simulations to design three different activities. These activities will include whole class teaching strategies, an activity sheet, and a complete lesson plan that you will implement with your own students or colleagues.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 3 months to complete

Suggested pace of 4 hours/week

English

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 3 months to complete

Suggested pace of 4 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

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How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Introduction to PhET Simulations for STEM Education

PhET Interactive Simulations ( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers.

In this course, you will learn how to access and share PhET simulations with your students, and explore the features that make PhET sims a powerful tool for science and mathematics teachers. You will also review strategies for how to use PhET in circumstances where you are presenting a simulation in front of the whole class using a projector, interactive whiteboard, or sharing your screen online. This course is the first one of the specialization “Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations”, that include 3 courses in total. To finish this course, you need to complete two assignments with Peer Review: 1) Selecting PhET sims, 2) Select a strategy for a Whole Class set-up, and design your first activity. This course is also available in Spanish as “Introducción a las Simulaciones PhET para la Educación STEM”

Course2

Course 2

Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education

In this course, we will review strategies for how to use PhET to create sim-based inquiry activities for math or science classes, including activity sheets that students can use as they work independently or in small groups while they have direct access to simulations on their own devices. To finish this course, you need to complete one assignment with Peer Review: Create an inquiry based activity worksheet for science or math that integrate PhET simulations. This course is the second of three courses that integrate the specialization “Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations”. This course is also available in Spanish as “Diseño de Actividades con Simulaciones PhET para la Educación STEM”

Course3

Course 3

Implementation of PhET Activities for STEM Education

In this course, you will learn how to effectively design a learning sequence that makes use of PhET’s simulations for mathematics and science. To finish this course, you need to complete two assignments with Peer Review: 1) Design a Lesson that integrates an inquiry-based activity with simulations, and 2) Implement your Lesson Plan in your class, and reflect about the results with the PhET Reflection Tools. This course is the third and last one of three courses that integrate the specialization “Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations”. This course is also available in Spanish as “Implementación de Actividades PhET para la Educación STEM”

Instructors

Zachariah Mbasu

PhET Ambassador Africa

432 Learners

3 Courses

Rebecca Vieyra

Associate Director of Global Initiatives

526 Learners

6 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
This specialization will take approximately 9 weeks and 45 hours of work to complete, distributed among 3 courses.
What background knowledge is necessary?
No specific background knowledge is necessary. This specialization can be taken by teachers who are new to the classroom or to simulations, as well as expert teachers who look to innovate.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
Yes, this specialization includes three courses that are recommended to be taken in the following order:
Introduction to PhET Simulations for STEM Education
Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education
Implementation of PhET Activities for STEM Education
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
No. This specialization does not include university credits, but it does recognize professional development hours.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
You will be able to design instructional activities for your science and mathematics classes that integrate PhET simulations into evidence-based strategies that enhance your students' learning, engaging them and fostering the development of inquiry skills and deep conceptual understanding.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations Specialization

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project