Fun Math and Physics Educational Resources
Every time I come across some cool online tool for practicing math or physics, I make a note of it so that I can pass it along to students.
I hope you love these as much as I do, and if you find more you think I should include here, let me know!
Elementary Age
My students LOVE these. Solve a mystery while practicing math!
Fun, engaging, math-positive books for middle grade.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
An absolutely delightful middle grade series encouraging critical thinking.
I had to include my favorite book of all time. This book was how I first learned about infinity, and light, and sound, and dodecahedrons!
My first introduction to critical thinking was with riddles like these.
This artist makes absolutely beautiful and delightful coloring books on everything from science to biology to women in science and women artists. She has tons of free downloads on her site, too.
These simple puzzles are a great way to practice arithmetic and logic. The goal is to have one every number in each row and column. The numbers grouped by bold lines have a specific rule to them. 3- would mean the grouped numbers have to subtract to equal 3, etc.
I used to love doing these, and I’ve found my students love them. too. Great for building critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
These are great visual puzzles.
Algebra 1 & 2
Always my go-to calculator for demonstrating graphs to students. They have a 3-D version now, too!
These are SO fun and engaging. Make sure to coach students to think critically rather than guess numbers.
Guess My Rule: Introduction to Functions
I always start a unit on functions with this game. It’s fun, engaging, and conveys the core of what functions are, which can otherwise seem very abstract.
Having a solid foundation on the unit circle is so important, for later math classes, but most students memorize it and then forget it. This is a nice practice tool that I recommend students use.
These are so fun and beautiful. Beautiful pixel art appears as students solve problems, which is not only fun, but gives them immediate feedback as to whether they were correct, which is key for learning.
The Art of Problem Solving Introduction to Counting and Probability
Probability is tough for everyone. I love the Art of Problem Solving, and their book is the best, most intuitive and comprehensive one I’ve found on the subject.
For brushing up on basics, or filling in gaps, Khan Academy is my go-to. They have a “Course Challenge” option, which is basically a diagnostic test that will tell you what you need to work on. Once you take the course challenge, you’ll have a tailored set of recommendations for videos to watch and practice exercises to do.
See my notes above, but I highly recommend taking the Algebra 2 Course Challenge to see if you have any gaps to fill in. Especially before going into Pre-Calculus!
No list of mathematical adventures would be complete without Vi Hart. She is a brilliant artist and mathematician and her videos are both fascinating and delightful and and show what math really is, fundamentally.
Kuta Software Basic Math Worksheets
I really like this software, and I use it to create custom worksheets for my students. They have free worksheets available, which are great, or you can buy the software and generate infinite custom worksheets tailored to your students. Everything from Pre-Algebra through Calculus.
Geometry
Points of Concurrency Demonstration
Finding centers of triangles was always a tough unit to teach until I found this fantastic interactive demonstration. It’s fun to play around with, and makes triangles centers really intuitive.
Desmos Exploration of Triangle Angle Sum Theorem
This is one of those theorems that is often memorized without understanding it. I really love this interactive demonstration of why the triangle angle sum theorem works.
Desmos Transformations Activity
One of my favorite go-to activities. It’s a fun game, but also it helps build that all-important visual spatial reasoning!
Proofs! Everyone’s favorite part of geometry! (Kidding, of course.) This tool is a great scaffold, and it’s part of how I introduce my students to proofs (along with the idea that you’re trying to make an airtight argument to someone extremely skeptical and confused.)
Calculus
These are really a fantastic resource. The site isn’t the prettiest, but there are excellent sets of practice problems with full, worked solutions. Any time my students ask for more practice problems, this is one of the places I send them.
Physics
The University of Colorado has been developing this amazing collection of free interactive simulations for over two decades.
Giant Packet of AP Physics Practice Problems Compiled by MIT
If you’re taking AP Physics, this is an incredible resources. Work through this packet a few problems at a time and you’ll not only ace the AP exam but your class tests, too
Teaching Science Through Stories
A library of stories that can be used to teach science concepts, broken down by age and topic!
Interactive Scale Model of the Solar System
Almost all other depictions you see of the solar system are incorrect. You’ll see why, when you try this simulation! (Spoiler: there’s a lot of empty space, and planets are tiny!)
Desmos Activities
The Desmos activities are all fantastic. I think games are a great way to think and learn. But here six of my favorites, plus a link to Desmos’ featured activities.
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