How many and what kinds of activities are available?
There are hundreds of activities in the Pivot Interactives Library. Use the tools on the left side of the Library to filter activities by subject, topic, level, and type of activity.
How is it possible that I can change something (like the mass of an object) in a video?
Each Pivot Interactives activity includes a set of videos that are all very similar except that one experimental parameter is changed. This gives students freedom to chart their own path as they explore and investigate the activity.
Does Pivot Interactives include the K–12 science and engineering practices of NGSS and other newly adopted state standards?
Most Pivot Interactives videos require students to do one or more of the NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
- Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- Developing and Using Models
- Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
- Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Browse NGSS-aligned activities
Will Pivot Interactives work on iPad, Chromebooks, and other devices?
Yes, Pivot Interactives works on just about any device with a modern web browser and an internet connection.
Will Pivot Interactives work on iPhones?
Students can use Pivot Interactives on their phones. Since iPhones default to full screen when playing video, students will use the scrub bar on the bottom of the video to navigate the video when counting frames or positioning video.
Who developed Pivot Interactives?
Pivot Interactives was developed by a physics teacher, Peter Bohacek, at Henry Sibley High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bohacek, along with colleague Matt Vonk, developed Pivot Interactives to help students understand physics concepts that are often difficult or impossible to set up in the classroom.
Are all the videos about physics?
No, Pivot Interactives started in physics and now also has experiments for numerous chemistry and biology topics. The library now has hundreds of experiments, with more being created all the time.
Can I upload my own videos to Pivot Interactives?
Yes. Instructors and students can add their own video content. See details.
Are Pivot Interactives simulations?
No. These are videos of real phenomena. Like a simulation, Pivot Interactives allows students to explore scientific concepts and change variables. However, Pivot Interactives is better for student learning than simulations because they’re real—real scientific phenomena and authentic data.
All events shown in Pivot Interactives are high-resolution videos. This allows you to see exactly how science applies to real-world situations.
How does Pivot Interactives compare with PhET Science Simulations?
When your students learn science with Pivot Interactives, they’ll know that it’s real video, not a drawing or a simulation. Your students will learn from authentic physical phenomena and uncover critical concepts in science.
How is Pivot different from other video analysis tools?
Pivot includes curriculum and is quite different from Vernier Video Analysis, Logger Pro, and other video analysis tools. See details.
How do I purchase a subscription?
To purchase, enter the number of students who would be using Pivot. Each seat allows the instructor to have one student enrolled in a class for one year for high school and one term for college. Volume discounts are automatically applied when you add the number of science students to your cart on this page. Complete your order by checking out. Flex licenses are recommended for colleges, schools, and districts with over 250 science students. If you need help choosing, see: Which subscription option is right for you?
When do the subscriptions begin and expire?
Per seat subscriptions begin on the date activated by the instructor; instructors may choose to activate only a subset of seats purchased. High school subscriptions end one calendar year after activation. University subscriptions are for one term or semester-equivalent course (quarter, trimester, semester, block). Length of term is determined by school academic calendar. A semester-equivalent course for one student requires the purchase of one seat, regardless of the duration of the course. Seats no longer used by students dropping a course, for example, can be reassigned to other students during the subscription period.
Flex subscriptions end one year after purchase (for high school) or after one term (for college).
How do I add seats to my subscription?
If you need to add fewer than 10 seats to your existing account, it is best to just give us a call at 1-888-VERNIER. You can also email a purchase order for the number of seats you need to: orders@vernier.com.
How do students access Pivot Interactives?
Students create their own accounts as authorized by their instructors. See details.
Is Pivot Interactives available worldwide?
No. Pivot is not available for users who are subject to GDPR.
Is there a way to have my students pay for Pivot Interactives?
Yes. When creating a class you have the option of making the class student-paid. When students create their accounts they’ll be prompted for credit-card based payment information. See details.
I have more questions. Where can I find answers?
Pivot includes tutorials that include videos, gifs, screenshots and detailed answers to help people dive in and start using Pivot. This includes how to set up classes and share seats within a school. Check out the Pivot Help Pages.
