Here at Brain Chase, we love hands-on, get-out-of-your-seat teaching methods. But, every once in a while, we have to suck it up and recognize that some things are best taught on a computer.

The University of Colorado has created dozens of fun, interactive , yet simple, simulators to teach your child difficult concepts. We have found these simulators to be invaluable and a nice addition to our learning challenges.

 

WHAT TYPES OF THINGS CAN SIMULATORS TEACH MY CHILD?

If you go to the Univ. of Colorado’s simulation website, you’ll see they’ve created simulators for math and various areas of science, broken down by specific topic and age level.

Brain Chase has used simulations to teach basic physics concepts, like projectile physics, and earth science, like carbon dating. We have plans to use more of these handy little programs in our future chases, too.

 

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

First, identify your child’s interest or the subject they are trying to understand. Then head on over to the website and do a search at the top of the page for the simulation you’d like to use. Chances are you’ll find it. You can also just browse the Univ. of Colorado’s extensive library of simulators and learn as you go. Either way, your child will enjoy the video-game-like learning experience.

NOTE: While many of the simulations can just be played directly through the website, some of them do require you to have Java on your computer. To download Java, click here.

 

 

APPLY WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED!

Of course, simulators are even more effective if supplemented with hands-on learning. So, to the extent possible, after your child has had an opportunity to explore a particular simulator, get them out of their chair and have them apply the concepts they learned!

 

Questions or comments? Email us at info@brainchase.com. Or visit brainchase.com and read our FAQs section. Happy Hunting!