Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer
Login
Student Login
Educator Login
Sign Up For Free
Gizmos home page Gizmos home page
Gizmos home page
  • Find Gizmos
    
                                                
    See Full Search Results
    • FREE Gizmos
    • NEW Releases
    • STEM Cases
    • Browse by Standard
    • Browse by Grade & Topic
    • Browse by Core Curriculum
  • About Gizmos
    • What's a Gizmo?
    • About STEM Cases
    • What are Gizmos Investigations?
    • Take a Tour
    • Supporting All Students
    • How to Get Gizmos
    • Testimonials
    • K-5 Science
  • Research
    • The Impact of Gizmos on Student Achievement
    • The Research Behind Gizmos
  • Support
    • Professional Development Overview
    • Meet the Team
    • Course Catalog
    • Help Center
    • Site Status
  • Resources
    • Popular Gizmos Collections
    • Educator Resource Hub
    • Success Stories
    • Insights
  • Get More Info
    • Sign Up for Free
    • Request Purchasing Info
    • Request a Demo
    • Request a Pilot
    • Contact Support
  • Login
    • Student Login
    • Educator Login
  • Sign Up For Free

Meet Gizmos

The world's largest library of math and science simulations.

Sign Up for Free Find a Gizmo
Laptop screen
Explore the inner workings of a cell!
Laptop screen
Give chase using linear equations!
Laptop screen
Delve deep into all things density!
Laptop screen
See how simple expressions can be!
Laptop screen
Get a reaction to chemical changes!
Student pointing

Build inquiry, understanding, and a love of math and science.

Featuring over 550 virtual, interactive STEM simulations all crafted to meet the latest educational standards, Gizmos empowers educators in grades 3-12 to transform classrooms with engaging online simulations that foster a deeper conceptual understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math subjects. By using ExploreLearning Gizmos immersive online labs and student-centered, inquiry-based activities, students discover their STEM potential.

Learn More about Gizmos Sign Up for Free
Video play button for An Intro to Gizmos An Intro to Gizmos
Gizmo of the week!

Surface and Lateral Areas of Prisms and Cylinders

June is a popular month for weddings, and lots of gifts will be given. If you choose to wrap your gifts, how do you know how much paper you will need? What if the present is an unusual shape, like a cylinder or triangular prism?
...

Learn More about Gizmos Find More Gizmos
Background geometric shapes
laptop frame
Screenshot of Surface and Lateral Areas of Prisms and Cylinders Gizmo

Surface and Lateral Areas of Prisms and Cylinders

June is a popular month for weddings, and lots of gifts will be given. If you choose to wrap your gifts, how do you know how much paper you will need? What if the present is an unusual shape, like a cylinder or triangular prism?



Students can use the Surface and Lateral Areas of Prisms and Cylinders Gizmo to help them answer such questions. Students start by learning that “flattening” a shape into a net changes a three-dimensional figure into a combination of simple two-dimensional shapes. They use nets to discover the lateral area formulas and how surface area is related to the base and lateral areas. Once students have mastered prisms and cylinders, they can apply their skills to pointy solids with the Surface and Lateral Areas of Pyramids and Cones Gizmo.

Go to Gizmo!

Popular Gizmos Collection

Animal Gizmos

Teach the Science of
Wildlife with Gizmos

Animal Gizmos
Astronomy Gizmos

To The Moon and Beyond
with Gizmos

Astronomy Gizmos
Biology Gizmos

Teach Biology
with Gizmos

Biology Gizmos
Chemistry Gizmos

Get a Reaction
With Gizmos!

Chemistry Gizmos
Climate Change Gizmos

Teaching
Climate Science

Climate Change Gizmos
Earth Science Gizmos

Explore Earth Science
With Gizmos

Earth Science Gizmos
Engineering Gizmos

The Importance
of Engineering

Engineering Gizmos
Genetic Gizmos

Teaching Genetics
with Gizmos

Genetic Gizmos
Health Science Gizmos

Teach Health Science
With Gizmos

Health Science Gizmos
Life Science Gizmos

Explore Life Science
with Gizmos

Life Science Gizmos
Math Gizmos

Interactive Math Simulations
by Grade Level

Math Gizmos
Natural Disaster Gizmos

The Science of
Natural Disasters

Natural Disaster Gizmos
Physics Gizmos

Gravitate to
using Gizmos!

Physics Gizmos
Space Gizmos

Take a Tour
of Space

Space Gizmos
Winter Gizmos

The Science
of Snow

Winter Gizmos
Student

Bring science to life with real-life STEM cases.

Immerse your students in active learning with Gizmos STEM Cases, where they learn about real-world STEM challenges and actively solve them like real scientists. Our STEM Cases encourage hands-on exploration, promoting a dynamic learning environment that sparks curiosity and enthusiasm.

Learn More about STEM Cases Find a STEM Case
Laptop showing STEM Case Gizmo

Research

Leverage research-proven teaching tools.

Independent research studies show how Gizmos interactive simulations power effective math and science instruction and impact student achievement.

See Our Studies

Professional Development

Prepare teachers for even greater success.

When teachers effectively integrate Gizmos into instruction they can take learning to new levels. Learn how our support helps educators be their best.

Explore Our Services

Resources

Make the most of your implementation.

Get insights, ideas, inspiration and more. We’re here to help you use Gizmos in the classroom—whether you’re just getting started or ready to go deeper.

Browse Our Resources

Why Choose Gizmos


Evidence-Based & Proven for Success

 Backed by research, Gizmos improve student outcomes with engaging, effective virtual labs and simulations.


Puts Data Privacy First

We prioritize student safety with robust data privacy and security measures. Learn more about our commitment.


Helps All Students Succeed

Gizmos empower all students to succeed by providing interactive simulations that adapt to diverse learning needs.



Easy to Implement

Gizmos integrate seamlessly into classrooms with expert resources and professional development.


Loved by Teachers & Students

Teachers and students rave about Gizmos for transforming science and math education. Read their stories!


Everybody's Talking About Gizmos

Hello, 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 Dhabi

I 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, Canada

Another 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 School

Any 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 teacher

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 District

Gizmos associated with higher performance on NGSS-aligned state science assessments

Data from more than 22,000 students at over 115 schools found that higher Gizmos usage led to a higher likelihood of meeting or exceeding proficiency on two different state science achievement tests.

Middle School Study   High School Study

Gizmos stats

Gizmos have earned every major edtech award!

Codie award logo
EdTech award logo
Common Sense award logo
District Admin Top Ed Tech Products
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence

Get more Gizmos Insights.

View All Gizmos Insights articles

The Science of Student Engagement: How Interactive STEM Lessons Help

The Science of Student Engagement: How Interactive STEM Lessons Help

Fun Ways to Teach Newton’s Laws of Motion to Students

Bridging the Gap: How Teachers, Researchers, and EdTech Can Work Together to Transform Science Learning

Ready. Set. Gizmo! Create a free Gizmos trial account and get 30 days unlimited access to the entire Gizmos library.

Sign Up for Free
Gizmos logo Brought to you by ExploreLearning

© 2025 ExploreLearning. All rights reserved. Gizmo and Gizmos are registered trademarks of ExploreLearning. STEM Cases, Handbooks and the associated Realtime Reporting System are protected by US Patent No. 10,410,534

Other Products

Reflex icon Frax icon Science4Us icon
Find Gizmos
  • FREE Gizmos
  • NEW Releases
  • STEM Cases
  • Browse by Standard
  • Browse by Grade & Topic
  • Browse by Core Curriculum
About Gizmos
  • What's a Gizmo?
  • About STEM Cases
  • What are Gizmos Investigations?
  • Take a Tour
  • Supporting All Students
  • How to Get Gizmos
  • Testimonials
  • K-5 Science
Research
  • The Impact of Gizmos on Student Achievement
  • The Research Behind Gizmos
Support
  • Professional Development Overview
  • Meet the Team
  • Course Catalog
  • Help Center
  • Site Status
Resources
  • Popular Gizmos Collections
  • Educator Resource Hub
  • Success Stories
  • Insights
Get More Info
  • Sign Up for Free
  • Request Purchasing Info
  • Request a Demo
  • Request a Pilot
  • Contact Support

Get Connected

  • Support Form
  • Toll-Free 866-882-4141
  • Local +1-434-293-7043
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Other Products

Reflex icon Frax icon Science4Us icon

© 2025 ExploreLearning. All rights reserved. Gizmo and Gizmos are registered trademarks of ExploreLearning. STEM Cases, Handbooks and the associated Realtime Reporting System are protected by US Patent No. 10,410,534

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • System Requirements
  • Sitemap
Website by Moncur