Plate Tectonics Science Games

4 games

In this series of games, your students will learn about Earth’s geological history, the maps that scientists use to model it, and the evidence that helps them create those maps. The Plate Tectonics learning objective — based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research.

Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts they drive home.

Concepts Covered

Earth’s continents and ocean basins have changed a great deal over time. Geologists create historical maps to visualize this change.

Maps that depict the earth around 200 million years ago show the supercontinent Pangea when all of Earth’s land masses were connected. Throughout the entire timeline of our planet, massive continents have split apart and smaller ones have shifted together, changing the shape of the land and ocean basins.

These maps explain why the continents today look like they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Scientists examine the way rocks formed, the environments in which fossils were created, and the locations of mountain ranges, using them as clues to create these historical geological maps.

A preview of each game in the learning objective is found below.

 

 

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Image for Newton's Golf Island
Newton's Golf Island Estimated Duration: 15 minutes Newton's Golf Island is a physics-based game where you have to play golf while learning about Newton's first and second laws. Aim, shoot and release to hit the target holes and get the highest score!
Image for Masses and Springs: Basics - Lab
Masses and Springs: Basics - Lab Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Play with a mass-spring system and discover which factors affect its displacement and period. Control the mass, spring constant, and gravity. Watch the Period Trace, or measure the period using the stopwatch. Determine the value of the unknown masses or gravity on Planet X. Observe the velocity and acceleration vectors while the system is in motion. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Forces and Motion: Basics - Net Force
Forces and Motion: Basics - Net Force Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Stage a game of tug of war between the red team and the blue team. Add pullers to the rope to increase the force, and discover the relationship between the left force, right force, and net force. Determine if a force is balanced or unbalanced. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Forces and Motion: Basics - Motion
Forces and Motion: Basics - Motion Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Explore the forces at work when pushing against a refrigerator, crate, or person. Create an applied force and see how it makes objects move. Measure the speed, and learn how to apply a force to speed up or slow down the object. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Forces and Motion: Basics - Acceleration
Forces and Motion: Basics - Acceleration Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Take a deeper look at the forces in the system as you push against objects, such as a crate, refrigerator, or person. Create an applied force to overcome friction. Measure the speed and acceleration of the object as it moves. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Mighty Force Knights: Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws
Mighty Force Knights: Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws Estimated Duration: 22 minutes Brave sir knight, our kingdom is in chaos! Only by mastering the laws of physics can you deliver us from the evil that beset our land!
Image for Forces and Motion: Basics - Friction
Forces and Motion: Basics - Friction Estimated Duration: 10 minutes Explore the forces at work when friction is present. Push against various objects, such as person or refrigerator, or stack multiple objects. Adjust the amount of friction, and create an applied force to overcome it. Find the mass of the mystery object. Note: Students will automatically move through this simulation after 10 minutes of playtime.
Image for Newton's Tournament
Newton's Tournament Estimated Duration: 15 minutes The king announced a competition for the post of royal engineer. Applicants must use a catapult to pass a series of tests. The player will shoot targets using a catapult, study the influence of Newton's laws, solve problems related to these laws and improve the catapult.
Image for Newton's First and Second Laws
Newton's First and Second Laws Estimated Duration: 5 minutes In this lesson, we explore Newton's First and Second Laws of Motion and how they influence everything around us. Newton's First Law, or the Law of Inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Newton's Second Law, expressed as F=ma, explains that acceleration depends on the force applied to an object and its mass.
Image for Galaxy Escape
Galaxy Escape Estimated Duration: 20 minutes 10 Bright Monsters have been captured in space and they need your help to cross the galaxy jumping between platforms, finding them, and releasing them by correctly answering each question. Each monster that you release and unlock will be available to play with in the next level, in the search for the next monster. In your journey, you’ll be able to find power-ups, like ‘Double points’ and ‘Slow down’, which can be activated by finding gems, and their duration can be extended by correctly answering a question. Unlock and release the 10 different monsters and a spaceship along 10 different levels, while you make the most possible points.
Image for Robot Chef
Robot Chef Estimated Duration: 18 minutes Congratulations, you are creating the first all-robot restaurant in the city! As you serve more customers, you will be able to build more robots to assist in delivering tasty treats. Attend Night School and answer questions to earn advanced robot chefs!
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