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The Research Behind Gizmos
Gizmos inquiry-based methods are rooted in powerful research to build deep conceptual understanding & student achievement in STEM.
Designed to foster deep conceptual understanding in STEM
Gizmos simulations use an inquiry-based approach to learning validated by extensive educational research as a highly effective way to build conceptual understanding in math and science. From powerful inquiry-based activities to opportunities to visualize data and experiment, Gizmos builds the skills students need to succeed in STEM.
Gizmos earned the Digital Promise Research-Based Design Product Certification, which recognizes products that center empirical research on learning in their design. The result is a growing body of rigorous efficacy research that shows Gizmos positively impacts student learning.
Efficacy Research Summary: Evidence that Gizmos Work
A number of independent studies by university-affiliated researchers over the past 15 years have demonstrated the efficacy of Gizmos. Research has found significant positive impacts from Gizmos on student achievement, classroom engagement, content knowledge, and knowledge application in math and science.
Download the Research SummaryWhy Gizmos Work
Gizmos simulations bring many of Marzano’s nine categories of effective instructional strategies to the science and math classroom, including four techniques proven through meta-analysis to positively impact student achievement.
Read the Executive Summary Download the White Paper Gizmos Logic Model

Gizmos usage is significantly related to acquiring scientific knowledge and passing rates.
How do Gizmos support student learning?
The Gizmos Difference: Inquiry-Based Learning
Since 1999, students and teachers around the world have been building understanding (and a love of math and science) with Gizmos hands-on simulations and labs. Gizmos are research-backed to create experiences that support analytical skills, inquiry, student achievement, and “what-if” experimentation.
A few of the key features in Gizmos that make a difference:
Gizmos are inquiry-based
Gizmos simulations use an inquiry-based learning approach validated by extensive research as a highly effective way to build conceptual understanding in math and science. With Gizmos, students learn by doing as they get hands-on with real-world problems.
Gizmos support experimentation
With an extensive library of Gizmos and STEM Cases, students and teachers can dive deeper into math and science topics through real-life problem-solving. Instead of skimming the surface, in-depth visualization and data analytics tools help students experience phenomena and concepts, capture and compare experiment results, make predictions, build skills, and share findings with others.
Gizmos set classrooms up for success
Using Gizmos, educators can save time and energy with extensive pre-made and customizable teacher and student resources. Gizmos align with learning standards and various curriculums and textbooks for enhanced learning outcomes. The simulations also support the three dimensions of the National Research Council's (NRC) Framework for K–12 Science Education: Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices.

Everybody's Talking About Gizmos
As a teacher, this platform is a time saver for me, as there are ready-made tasks and STEM hours, but I also like that I can modify assignments at any time.
- Teacher, Wicomico County School DistrictHello, Ms. D. I apologize about emailing you during the weekend, but I couldn’t wait to tell you. Gizmos is so much fun, and I absolutely love it. I actually learn something and I like the fact that it is interactive. Thank you so much for making us do Gizmos.
- Gizmos Student, American International School, Abu DhabiI really love Gizmos as they help students grasp difficult concepts that can’t always be seen. They make abstract ideas come to life.
- Gizmos Teacher, Foothills School Division, Alberta, CanadaAnother great feature of Gizmos is that I can manipulate them to accomplish my desired learning outcomes for my students. Sometimes I take a Gizmo that is meant to be an entire lab, and I cut it down into a smaller, briefer activity. But, other times, I combine some of the smaller labs into one and have the students access the various Gizmos from the class home page for a bigger assignment. In that way, Gizmos are always able to accomplish my desired outcomes.
- Teacher, Stuarts Draft High SchoolAny time I’ve used Gizmos, my students have a deeper and more meaningful experience with their learning. It leads to more inquiry and great classroom discussion!
- Grade 3 teacherAs a teacher, this platform is a time saver for me, as there are ready-made tasks and STEM hours, but I also like that I can modify assignments at any time.
- Teacher, Wicomico County School DistrictHello, Ms. D. I apologize about emailing you during the weekend, but I couldn’t wait to tell you. Gizmos is so much fun, and I absolutely love it. I actually learn something and I like the fact that it is interactive. Thank you so much for making us do Gizmos.
- Gizmos Student, American International School, Abu DhabiI really love Gizmos as they help students grasp difficult concepts that can’t always be seen. They make abstract ideas come to life.
- Gizmos Teacher, Foothills School Division, Alberta, CanadaAnother great feature of Gizmos is that I can manipulate them to accomplish my desired learning outcomes for my students. Sometimes I take a Gizmo that is meant to be an entire lab, and I cut it down into a smaller, briefer activity. But, other times, I combine some of the smaller labs into one and have the students access the various Gizmos from the class home page for a bigger assignment. In that way, Gizmos are always able to accomplish my desired outcomes.
- Teacher, Stuarts Draft High SchoolAny time I’ve used Gizmos, my students have a deeper and more meaningful experience with their learning. It leads to more inquiry and great classroom discussion!
- Grade 3 teacherAs a teacher, this platform is a time saver for me, as there are ready-made tasks and STEM hours, but I also like that I can modify assignments at any time.
- Teacher, Wicomico County School DistrictGet results with Gizmos
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