Khan Academy Biology: Introduction to Simulation-Based Exercises

Introducing Simulation-Based Exercises

• 💡 Khan Academy is launching a new learning experience: simulation-based exercises for high school and AP biology.
• 🔬 These interactive exercises allow students to explore and manipulate biological processes in real-time, fostering inquiry skills used by professional biologists.

The Scientific Inquiry Process

• 🎯 Each exercise begins with an anchoring phenomenon to spark curiosity and connect concepts to the real world.
• 🧪 Students then engage with an embedded simulation with clear guidance on its components and function.
• 📈 Scaffolded tasks guide students through making predictions, running experiments, gathering data, analyzing patterns, and building evidence-based explanations.
• ⛰️ Finally, students revisit the phenomenon with a deeper understanding to explain it using their new knowledge.

Topics and Alignment

• 🧬 Examples of topics covered include gene expression in bacteria, the link between climate change and mosquito spread, and oxygen diffusion for high-altitude climbers.
• ✅ All exercises are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or the AP Biology Course and Exam Description.
• 📚 These simulations complement Khan Academy's existing biology videos, articles, and practice exercises, offering a comprehensive learning environment.