How to Use Simulations to Replace or Support Labs
It’s lab day! Yay! You’re ready, but…the goggles are missing, the vinegar bottle is empty after one class period, the fire alarm goes off halfway through data collection, and you have a bunch of kiddos out with a stomach bug. Sound familiar?
Every teacher has lived through the chaos of labs gone wrong. And if you haven’t, it’s super fun you should give it a try.
That’s why we all need a backup plan: simulations are the solution! Free online sims like PhET Interactive Simulations let students test, manipulate, and visualize concepts, and no lab supplies required, no mess to clean up, and no stress when things go sideways…because somehow they always do.
Simulations don’t take away from hands-on learning, but they can support your labs or even stand in when resources are tight. Let’s get into some simple ways to use simulations as pre-labs, full lab replacements, and extensions, plus the exact prompts and reflection questions I give my students to keep them engaged.
👉 And if you’d rather skip building your own, check out SciAcademy — ready-to-use labs (hands-on and sim-based) with prompts already built in + so much more tailored content for each month of the year.
Why Use Simulations in Science Class?
Accessibility: Every student can participate, even if you don’t have enough lab equipment. How about kids out sick? Simulations are perfect ways to get the “hands-on” experience remotely.
Flexibility: Use them as a warm-up, station activity, full lesson integrated into your lecture, or even a sub plan.
Visualization: Sometimes we teach content that we can’t demo or play with in a lab. On these occasions, students get to see and work with abstract concepts (like forces, vectors, or atomic interactions) in action.
Low Prep: No goggles, no clean-up, no risk of fire alarms going off (yes, I’ve been there).
Sample Ways to Use Simulations
1. As a Pre-Lab
Before students ever step foot in the lab, have them test the concept virtually. For example, with a Projectile Motion sim, ask:
How does launch angle affect range?
What happens if you double the speed?
This helps students walk into the real lab with predictions and a plan.
2. As a Lab Replacement
Sometimes you don’t have a choice, no supplies, no time, or a sub day. In that case, simulations can run the whole show. Students can manipulate variables, record data, and answer analysis questions exactly like they would in a physical lab.
3. As a Post-Lab Extension
After running a hands-on experiment, let students test their results in a simulation. Did their lab data match what they saw in the sim? This creates a reflection moment and helps them recognize sources of error.
Example Prompts for Simulation-Based Labs
When I use sims, I always include guiding questions so students stay focused:
What variable are you changing?
What variable are you measuring?
What patterns do you notice in your data?
How does this connect to a real-world example we’ve studied?
Adding reflection questions at the end helps students connect the dots:
How is this simulation similar to a real lab? How is it different?
If you could run this lab with actual materials, what challenges would you expect?
Bringing It All Together
Simulations don’t replace the magic of hands-on labs, but they are a powerful tool to have in your back pocket. They can save time, make abstract concepts visible, and give you options when your schedule or resources don’t cooperate.
And if you’re looking for ready-made simulation-based labs with built-in prompts, reflection questions, and student-ready directions, you’ll find it in SciAcademy. Every month, members get access to classroom-tested labs (hands-on and simulation) so you never have to scramble to build one from scratch. You don’t have to sign up, but at least check it out. Who knows, maybe SciAcademy will help you out this year.
👉 Check out SciAcademy today and take the stress out of lab planning—your future self will thank you.
