How PhET simulations help students with abstract concepts

Chemistry is full of abstract concepts. Hands-on experimentation can improve students’ understanding, but many schools have limited resources, making this approach difficult. A 2024 study investigated how effective PhET simulations are in improving high school students’ understanding of scientific concepts, such as balancing chemical equations, acids, bases and pH. It used both quantitative and qualitative data to assess students’ learning outcomes and perceptions. Results showed that the performance of students that used PhET simulations improved significantly.