Physical
Forces and Motion: Basics
PhET, CU Boulder
Forces and motion
Grades 6 to 8MS-PS2-2No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
I use the Tug of War screen as a 10-minute warm-up. Kids predict the winner first, then test it.
Tools
Free science simulations
When your usual platform is down, class still has to happen. These are free simulations we trust. They run in a Chromebook browser and students don’t need to log in.
Physical
Energy Skate Park: Basics
PhET, CU Boulder
Kinetic and potential energy
Grades 6 to 8MS-PS3-1No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Turn on the energy bar graph and have students sketch it at three spots on the track.
Physical
States of Matter: Basics
PhET, CU Boulder
Particles and states of matter
Grades 6 to 8MS-PS1-4No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Heat and cool the same substance and ask students to describe what the particles are doing in their own words.
Physical
Waves Intro
PhET, CU Boulder
Waves, amplitude, frequency
Grades 6 to 8MS-PS4-1No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Change one setting at a time and record what happens to the wave. Works well in pairs.
Physical
Density
PhET, CU Boulder
Mass, volume, density
Grades 6 to 8No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
A good lead-in before a sink-or-float lab, or a replacement when you can't do the lab.
Physical
Build an Atom
PhET, CU Boulder
Atoms and atomic structure
Grades 6 to 8MS-PS1-1No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
The Game screen makes a solid exit ticket. Students screenshot their score.
Life
Natural Selection
PhET, CU Boulder
Traits, mutation, natural selection
Grades 6 to 8MS-LS4-4No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Add one mutation and one environmental factor, then have students graph the bunny population over a few generations.
Life
Cell Size and Scale
Learn.Genetics, University of Utah
Cells and scale
Grades 6 to 8MS-LS1-1No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Quick and visual. I use it to open a cells unit so students get a feel for how small cells really are.
Open tool
Opens on their site · no ads
Life
Pigeonetics
Learn.Genetics, University of Utah
Inheritance and traits
Grades 6 to 8MS-LS3-2No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
A puzzle game about breeding pigeons for traits. Students stay with it longer than you'd expect.
Open tool
Opens on their site · no ads
Life
Sensory Systems
Learn.Genetics, University of Utah
Nervous system and senses
Grades 6 to 8MS-LS1-8No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Assign one sense per group and have them teach the class what they found.
Open tool
Opens on their site · no ads
Earth and Space
Tectonic Explorer
Concord Consortium
Plate tectonics
Grades 6 to 8MS-ESS2-3No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Let students set plate directions and run it. Then ask where mountains and volcanoes formed and why.
Earth and Space
Make a Thunderstorm
UCAR Center for Science Education
Weather
Grades 6 to 8MS-ESS2-5No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Students change temperature and humidity to see when a storm forms. Pairs well with a weather map discussion.
Open tool
Opens on their site · no ads
Earth and Space
The Water Cycle
USGS
Water cycle
Grades 6 to 8MS-ESS2-4No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Have students trace one drop of water through three different paths and write them down.
Open tool
Opens on their site · no ads
Earth and Space
Greenhouse Effect
PhET, CU Boulder
Climate and greenhouse gases
Grades 6 to 8MS-ESS3-5No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Compare the ice age and today settings. Keep the talk on what the model shows.
Earth and Space
Gravity and Orbits
PhET, CU Boulder
Gravity and the solar system
Grades 6 to 8MS-ESS1-2No loginChromebook OK
Omar’s note
Turn gravity off for a second and watch what happens to the Moon. That moment does a lot of teaching.
Links checked October 2026. If one stops working, let us know.