The short answer
Start with the lesson question. Choose a simulation when pupils need to explore what happens after a change. Use a scored game when they need practice answering questions about the idea. Ask pupils to predict a result before they touch the controls, then compare their prediction with what the model shows.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Price | Pupil login | Adverts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PhET Interactive Simulations | Open science simulations | Simulations free | None for simulations | No |
| BBC Bitesize Atomic Labs | KS3 virtual experiments | Free | None to play | Not stated |
| The Physics Classroom | Physics explanations with interactive activities | Free; paid extras | Tutorials: not stated; tracker: required | Free pages: yes; paid: no |
| Crazy Science Games | Scored practice after exploring | Free | None | No |
PhET Interactive Simulations
PhET is the best overall pick here for simulations because its models let pupils change things and explore the results. The University of Colorado Boulder makes its science and maths simulations. Teachers and pupils can use them free, online or as downloads. The site also provides teacher activities, described in PhET's overview.
For a lesson, select a model that answers one question. Ask pupils to predict a change before trying it, then describe what happened. Let pairs choose a further change and say why they chose it.
PhET's separate Studio tool has paid licensing. The privacy policy rules out advertising and marketing tracking cookies. Pupils need no account to use simulations; those under 13 cannot create website accounts.
PhET is not tied to a UK exam board. Match the model to your lesson topic. For scored practice afterwards, the exam board map links our games to GCSE courses.
Choose this if you want pupils to explore a science idea freely and discuss what happens when they change the model.
BBC Bitesize Atomic Labs
Atomic Labs is a free science investigations game with experiments in physics, chemistry and biology. Pupils can play without signing in. It belongs to BBC Bitesize, the BBC's free study and revision site for UK pupils.
Atomic Labs is the pick here for KS3 virtual experiments. Use an experiment as the focus of a discussion: ask pupils what they expect to happen and which result would make them reconsider. After play, ask them to describe the result in their own words before comparing answers with a partner.
For a lesson about solids, liquids and gases, you could follow the discussion with the KS3 particle model game. It asks pupils to read a particle diagram and explain a state or change of state.
Choose this if you teach KS3 and want a virtual experiment within a UK pupil study site.
The Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom has tutorials, interactive activities and sets of practice problems for beginners and teachers. It covers physics and some chemistry. Choose it when pupils need an explanation beside an activity they can try, or problems that let them practise the idea.
The site uses US course groupings, so select by topic and read the explanation before assigning it. Check whether the examples fit what your pupils have studied. After a waves lesson, Wave Lab offers scored practice reading a wave, calculating its speed and ordering the electromagnetic spectrum.
The free site shows adverts on most pages. Paid plans remove adverts, as its privacy policy explains. Task Tracker, the paid tool for assigning activities, requires sign-in.
Choose this if pupils need physics explanations with interactive activities and you can use an advert-supported site or pay to remove adverts.
Crazy Science Games
Crazy Science Games has 46 short games for KS3 and GCSE physics, chemistry and biology. They are free, with no login, adverts or tracking cookies. PhET is better for open exploration; our scored games suit practice after pupils have investigated a model and discussed the science.
For electricity, try Circuit Builder to build series and parallel circuits and predict meter readings. For biology lessons about testing foods, Food Tests Lab asks pupils to match tests to substances and choose the result colour.
You can select a no-timer round of ten or a harder start. Class teams mode gives you another classroom option. Read the teacher page before using a game in a lesson. Leave time after play to discuss a difficult answer and ask pupils to explain their choice.
Choose this if pupils have explored the science and you want a short round of scored practice on that topic.
How to use a simulation and a game together
Write one question on the board and ask pupils to record a prediction before opening the model. Let pairs change one thing while keeping the rest the same. Ask them to record the result and compare it with their prediction. Discuss differences between pairs before starting a game. Finish by asking pupils to explain one answer, using the result from their investigation where it helps. For a cell lesson, Cell Builder can provide the final practice matching cell parts to their jobs.
What is the best free science simulation site for secondary school?
PhET is the best overall pick here for free science simulations. Pupils can explore its models without an account, online or as downloads. For KS3 virtual experiments, choose BBC Bitesize Atomic Labs. The Physics Classroom suits physics explanations with interactive activities. Choose by the lesson question and preview the activity before pupils use it.
Can pupils use science simulations without a login?
Pupils can use PhET simulations and play BBC Bitesize Atomic Labs without an account. Crazy Science Games also needs no login for its scored games. The Physics Classroom's Task Tracker requires sign-in, so distinguish that paid service from a tutorial or interactive you want to share. Preview the exact activity before assigning it to a class.
Which free science tools have no adverts?
PhET has no advertising, according to its privacy policy. Crazy Science Games has no adverts or tracking cookies. The Physics Classroom shows adverts on most free pages and sells plans that remove them. If adverts affect your classroom choice, select one of the options with a clear policy and preview the activity before sharing it.
Is Crazy Science Games a science simulation site?
Crazy Science Games makes short scored games. Choose PhET when pupils need to change a model and explore the results. Afterwards, pick a game on the same science topic to practise answering questions. You can select a no-timer round of ten, a harder start or class teams mode, according to how you want pupils to play.