Physical Science

Select the “Launch Interactive” or resource buttons to open new tabs.

Matter & Atoms

Introduction to Matter
Virginia SOL PS.2
Matter Lesson: Opens in a New Tab

Learn about what defines matter and the differences between mass and weight.

History of Understanding Atoms
NGSS PS1-1
Virginia SOL PS.2 & CH.2
History of Understanding Atoms: Opens in a new tab

Learn how Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, and Rutherford changed understanding of the atom.

Introduction to Atoms
NGSS PS1-1
Virginia SOL PS.2 & CH.2
Introduction to Atoms: Opens in a New Tab

Dive deeper in your understand of matter, atoms, charge, mass number, and more!

Atoms Review
NGSS PS1-1
Virginia SOL PS.2 & CH.2
Atoms Review Questions: Opens in a New Tab

Use PhET’s Build an Atom simulation to review atomic number, mass number, and charge.

 

The Periodic Table

The Periodic Table Part 1
NGSS PS1-2
Virginia SOL PS.2, PS.4 & CH.2
Periodic Table Lesson Part 1: Opens in a New Tab

Learn about the atomic symbol, atomic number, period, and groups of elements on the periodic table.

The Periodic Table Part 2
NGSS PS1-2
Virginia SOL PS.2, PS.4, & CH.2
Periodic Table Lesson Part 2: Opens in a New Tab

Explores the different groups of the periodic table and learn how elements within a group have similar properties.

The Periodic Table Part 3
NGSS PS1-2
Virginia SOL PS.2, PS.4, & CH.2
Periodic Table Lesson Part 3: Opens in a New Tab

Review your understanding of the concepts taught in parts one and two.

 

Periodic Table Games
NGSS PS1-2
Virginia SOL PS.2, PS.4 & CH.2
Periodic Table Games Open in a New Tab

Test your skills as you play these easy, medium, and hard periodic table games.

 

Periodic Table Escape Room
NGSS PS1-2
Virginia SOL PS.2 & PS.4
Periodic Table Escape Room Opens in a New Tab

Answering periodic table questions to unlock the code hidden throughout time that’s needed to unlock life-saving technology on Mars.

Periodic Table Bingo
NGSS PS1-2
Virginia SOL PS.2, PS.4 & CH.2
Periodic Table Bingo: Opens in a New Tab

Each student gets their own unique bingo card as the teacher reads the provided clues from any of 12 clue sets.

Molecules

Molecules
NGSS PS1-1, 2, 3
Virginia SOL PS.3 & CH.3
Molecules Lesson: Opens in a New Tab

Learn about and build molecules using PhET’s Build a Molecule simulation.

 

What is Air
NGSS PS1-1,2,3
Virginia SOL PS.3 & CH.3
What is Air interactive lesson

Updated! This engaging interactive lesson uses molecular models and pie charts, helping students visualize and understand the composition of air. 

Physical & Chemical Changes

Rust Busters: Chemical Changes
NGSS PS1-1,2,3
Virginia SOL PS.3 CH.3
Rust Busters

Featuring STEM careers in the shipbuilding industry, this interactive lesson is about how steel is made, the chemical change for the formation of rust, and rust prevention.

This STEM programming was made possible by the Virginia General Assembly for COVA STEM Hub for regional activities and programming.

Coastal Virginia STEM Ecosystem #YouBelongInSTEM

Electron Configuration & Stoichiometry
Select the cover image to open lesson in a new tab.

Electron Configuration
Virginia SOL CH.2d
Electron Configuration Simulation Opens in a New Tab

Model the electron configurations of elements hydrogen through strontium. Play a review game to check for understanding.

Stoichiometry Made Simple
Virginia SOL CH.4
Stoichiometry Simulation Opens in a New Tab

Step-by-step explanations of a the many different types of stoichiometry problems.

 

Density

Introduction to Density
Virginia SOL PS.3a
Introduction to Density: Opens in New Tab

This is a very short and simple interactive that introduces mass, volume, and density.

 

Why Does Ice Float?
Virginia SOL PS.3a
Why does ice float? Opens in New Tab

Use PhET’s States of Matter Simulation, analyze graphs, and learn about density to explore why giant icebergs float.

Candy Shop
Virginia SOL PS.3a
Density of Candy: Opens in New Tab

Measure the mass and volume of 6 different candies to determine and compare their densities.

Density Escape Room
Virginia SOL PS.3a
Density Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

It’s your birthday and you’re locked in school! Get the code needed to turn off the security system and get to your birthday party on time.

States of Matter & Thermal Energy

States of Matter
Virginia SOL PS.2c
States of Matter Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Use your understanding of solids, liquids, gases, and plasma to make in through your science teacher’s not-so haunted house.

Updated version includes accessibility features.

Virtual Heating Ice Lab
Virginia SOL PS.1, PS.2c & CH.1
Virtual Heating Ice Lab: Opens in New Tab

Measure, record, and graph the temperature of ice as it is heated and eventually boils.  Use the graph to answer questions.

Updated version includes accessibility features.

Wild Wild Earth Part 1
Virginia SOL PS.2
Wild Wild Earth Part 1: Opens in New Tab

Travel the world as you learn about states of matter, thermal energy, and temperature.

 

 

Wild Wild Earth Part 2
Virginia SOL PS.2
Wild Wild Earth Part 2: Opens in New Tab

Travel the world and learn about forms of energy, temperature, and states of matter.

Wild Wild Earth Part 3
Virginia SOL PS.2
Wild Wild Earth Part 3: Opens in New Tab

Travel the world as you learn about heat, the states and density of water, and insulators.

Wild Wild Earth Part 4
Virginia SOL PS.5b
Wild Wild Earth Part 4: Opens in new tab

Travel the world as you learn about radiation, convection, and conduction.

Energy, Forces, & Motion

Energy and Its Many Forms
Virginia SOL PS.5
Energy and its Many Forms: Opens in New Tab

Explore light, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal energy. Use PhET’s sims to explore how energy changes forms.

Potential and Kinetic Energy
Virginia SOL PS.5
Potential and Kinetic Energy: Opens in New Tab

Use PhET’s Skate Park simulation to explore potential and kinetic energy.

 

Hands-On: Engineer Desig
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Catapult Challenge

New! For this hands-on activity, students collaborate in groups to design and build catapults, using elastic potential energy to enhance their understanding of energy transformations.

Magnetism
Virginia SOL PS.9

Embark on a treasure hunt using a compass and map. Along the way,  learn how compasses operate and explore the principles of magnetism and magnetic fields.

This STEM programming was made possible by the Virginia General Assembly for COVA STEM Hub for regional activities and programming.

Coastal Virginia STEM Ecosystem
Forces and Motion
Virginia SOL PS.8
Forces and Motion Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Go on an epic adventure through Arches National Park as you answer questions about forces and motion.

Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Virginia SOL PS.8
Forces and Motion Balanced and Unbalanced Forces

Review forces vocab and use Phet’s simulation to answer 3 sets of 5 questions correctly.  If you do not answer the questions in a set correctly, you get to try again.

Bridges
Virginia SOL PS.8
Bridges

This basic introduction to bridges emphasizes compression and tension forces and highlights four common bridge types.

This STEM programming was made possible by the Virginia General Assembly for COVA STEM Hub for regional activities and programming.

Position Vs. Time Graphs
Virginia SOL PS.8
Distance vs. Time Graph: Opens in New Tab

Measure, record, and graph the distances Grasshopper and Snail travel each minute as they complete a 10 meter race. Use the graph to answer questions about the race.

Converting Distance Units
Virginia SOL PS.8
Converting Distance Units

Help determine whether or not the puppy is tall enough to get into the dog park and practice converting distance unit, one step at a time.

 

Waves

Mechanical Waves Escape Room
Virginia SOL PS.6
Mechanical Waves Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

You have been abducted by aliens! You must use PhET’s Wave simulation and answer questions about mechanical waves as you work your way through the ship to the escape ship.

Electromagnetic Waves Escape Room
Virginia SOL PS.7
Electromagnetic Waves Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Ditto needs help communicating with his ship so he can get back to his friends. Use PhET’s Waves simulations and your understanding of electromagnetic waves to help Ditto get home!

Waves Communication Escape Room
Virginia SOL PS.7
Radio Waves Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

The cellphones in your town have all been stolen!  Using radio waves and binary code, the thief sends you the information needed to find everyone’s cellphones and be the town hero.

Frequency & Wavelength
Virginia SOL PS.6
CER Waves: How does increasing the frequency of a wave affect its wavelength?

Use PhET’s Wave on a String Simulation to investigate how increasing the frequency of a wave affects its wavelength.

Screenshot the Last Page for Credit

The final page of this interactive features an option for students to take a screenshot of their name,

which they can then send to their teacher for credit.

This example is taken from the Wonderful Watersheds intearctive.

Sign and Screenshot Page for Credit
Matter Lesson: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

History of Understanding Atoms: Opens in a new tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Introduction to Atoms: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

Students answer the questions on the worksheet as they go through the Virtual Science Teachers interactive interactive.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Periodic Table Lesson Part 1: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Periodic Table Lesson Part 2: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Periodic Table Lesson Part 3: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Periodic Table Bingo: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

These printable bingo cards can be used with the Virtual Science Teachers online interactive or offline.  The bingo clues are provided along with 50 unique printable bingo cards.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Molecules Lesson: Opens in a New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Hands-On Activities to Compliment "What is Air"

Why does ice float? Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Density of Candy: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

This worksheet provides a mass, volume, and density data table that students fill in using the Candy Shop interactive.  Students then answer 5 questions that compare the densities of the candy.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Density Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

This worksheet compliments the Density: Locked in School on Your Birthday escape room.  Students complete the printed worksheet as they work through the escape room.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

States of Matter Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Virtual Heating Ice Lab: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Distance vs. Time Graph: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

This worksheet compliments the Snail vs. Grasshopper: Position vs. Time Graphs interactive. The provided printable graphic can be used in place of using the online interactive.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Mechanical Waves Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Electromagnetic Waves Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

The Google Form includes a link to a special version of the interactive that includes a code word on the last page.  Students work through the interactive and then insert the provided code word into the Google Form.  They then gain access to review questions that can be submitted to the teacher. 

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.

Radio Waves Escape Room: Opens in New Tab

Additional Resources

The click-through teacher presentation is ideal for when a teacher would like to be able to quickly move throughout the presentation and emphasize specific pages within the lesson.

All Virtual Science Teachers resources, images, and content are copyrighted.  Selling or using any Virtual Science Teachers resources for profit is strictly forbidden.