‘Introduction
You can introduce simulations as a natural enrichment to your presentation while reading theNtextbook or talking about a certain topic.
Otherwise, you can explain the structure of the simulated lesson:
● presentation of the topic;
● guided discussion on topic connections with every day’s life;
● exploration of a simulation software;
● use of the simulator for data analysis;
● use of the data for formulating hypotheses;
● test of knowledge through the simulator’s games.

Simulation #1
URL: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/density
Topics: density, mass, volume

Link with theory
Link to preliminary lecture by asking learners why do objects like wood float on water, whether it depends on its size, etc.

Exploration
Let learners explore the simulator: allow learners to individually create a custom object to explore the effects of mass and volume on density. Ask them to write down the data of the created objects. Can they discover the relationship? Prompt them to use the scale to measure the mass of an object, then ask them to hold the object under water to measure its volume.

Testing
Test their knowledge by asking them to identify all the mystery objects.
Check learners’ learning goals:

● Describe how the concept of density relates to an object’s mass and volume.
● Explain how objects of similar mass can have differing volume, and how objects of similar volume can have differing mass.
● Explain why changing an object’s mass or volume does not affect its density (i.e., understand density as an intensive property).
● Measure the volume of an object by observing the amount of fluid it displaces.
● Identify an unknown material by calculating its density and comparing to a table of known densities.

Simulation #2
URL: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
Topics: atoms, atomic structure, isotope symbols, atomic nuclei

Exploration and analysis
Let learners explore the simulator: ask them to build an atom out of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and to write down how the elements’ charge and mass changes.
When they feel acquainted with the graphic structure of the simulator, ask them to play a game to test their ideas.

Check learners’ learning goals
Use the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons to draw a model of the atom, identify the element, and determine the mass and charge. Predict how addition or subtraction of a proton, neutron, or electron will change the element, the charge, and the mass.
Use the element name, mass, and charge to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Define proton, neutron, electron, atom, and ion.
Generate an isotopic symbol for an atom, given the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Simulation #3
URL: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/alpha-decay
Topics: alpha decay, half-life, radiation

Exploration and analysis
Let learners explore the simulator: ask them to watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. Ask them to observe and write down how random decay times relate to the half-life.

Check learners’ learning goals
Explain what happens in alpha radiation.
Predict what happens to an element when it undergoes alpha decay. Explain the concept of half-life, including the random nature of it. Begin to gain an understanding of the forces that work to hold an atomic nucleus together (strong nuclear force) and the forces that work to break it apart (Coulomb, i.e. electric charge, force).