Games and Simulations

The UCAR Center for Science Education has a collection of games and simulations related to weather, climate, atmospheric science, and space weather education. Test your knowledge with one of our games or gain a deeper understanding of earth science through a simulation.

Atmospheric Chemistry Memory Game

Test your memory while you learn about the chemistry of Earth's atmosphere! 

Choose Our Future

Explore how everyday choices add up to make your carbon footprint, and what the effect would be on the climate if everybody acted the same way as you in the future.

Climate Sensitivity Calculator

This simple interactive shows how Earth's temperature rises as the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases.

Cloud Sorting Game

Sort photos of clouds by altitude, by composition, and into groups based on whether they are smooth or turbulent.

Clouds Memory Game

Test your memory while you learn about clouds! Click on tiles to reveal photos of clouds - and try to find a matching pair.

Compare IPCC Scenarios Interactive

Compare possible future carbon dioxide emissions and average global temperatures during the coming century as provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Compare Maps of Antarctic Sea Ice Extent Side-by-Side

Compare maps side-by-side of sea ice extent in the Antarctic over several decades.

Compare Maps of Arctic Sea Ice Extent Side-by-Side

Compare maps side-by-side of sea ice extent in the Arctic over several decades.

Compare Maps of Regional Climate Projections

Compare maps of future regional climate projections to assess projected changes in temperature and precipitation.

Compare Multispectral Sun Images

Compare images of the Sun side-by-side with this interactive viewer. What features can you see in ultraviolet or infrared images?

Compare Solar Eclipse Photos

Compare photos of different solar eclipses side-by-side.

Create a Snowstorm

Explore the factors that combine to create a snowstorm in this interactive.

Earth's Albedo and the Sun's Brightness Affect Climate

See how Earth's temperature would change if the Sun's brightness increased or dimmed or if Earth's albedo was different.

Energy Choices and Climate Change

Help the Joules family make choices that keep their greenhouse gas emissions low.

Forecast a Hurricane

Can you predict the path of a hurricane? Learn how hurricanes move across an ocean and see if you can determine which cities will be impacted by a hurricane.

Global Energy Advisor

Congratulations! You have a new job as a Global Energy Advisor and the people of the planet need your help. You must choose a new mix of energy sources to limit emissions while generating enough energy and keeping costs low.

Greenhouse Gases Sorting Game

Sort these molecules as greenhouse gases, borderline cases or not greenhouse gases.

Make a Hurricane

Make a hurricane and learn about the factors that control the strength of the storm, including temperature, moisture and winds.

Make a Thunderstorm

Make a thunderstorm! Choose the right mix of temperatures and humidity to create a big thunderstorm.

Name That Cloud

How well can you identify cloud types? Try this game and test your skill!

Pressure and Flow: Using Water Tanks to Explain Why the Wind Blows

Explore relationships between pressure and fluid flow in this virtual lab.

SkySci for Kids Games

In this collection of games, young learners can make a raindrop, steer a hurricane, help a dog keep cool, dress a yeti for the weather, and help a community fight climate change.

Solar Eclipse Memory Game

Test your memory while you learn about eclipses of the Sun. Click on tiles to reveal pictures of solar eclipses and maps of the path of the November 2012 eclipse in Australia. Try to find matching pairs of pictures.

Sort It Out: El Niño or La Niña

Sort pictures of El Niño and La Niña conditions based on sea-surface temperatures.

Sun & Space Weather Memory Game

Test your memory while you learn about the Sun, space weather, and Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere.

Sun Sorting Game

Sort pictures of the Sun and its features by temperature or by time in the sunspot cycle.

The Very Simple Climate Model

Use this model to explore the relationships between carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere and our planet's average global temperature. Try out some "what if" scenarios to see how much our climate may warm during the coming century.

Tree Rings Simulation - Dendrochronology

Match tree ring patterns to decode climate clues from the past.

Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere

Explore the atmosphere by launching Virtual Weather Balloons! This "virtual laboratory" simulation lets you investigate the layers of Earth's atmosphere.

What Flooding Looked Like in Boulder, Colorado

See what one neighborhood looked like before the September 2013 flood and after water filled the streets, yards, homes, and Crest View Elementary School.