Using Boom™ Cards in Physics and the Secondary Science Classroom

If you’re an educator who’s scrolled online in search of additional resources — me raising my hand — I’m sure you’ve come across Boom™ Cards. Full disclosure: when I first saw these, I thought they were for the elementary classroom and wrote them off as a “not for me” resource. Dumb. I was so wrong! These digital gems offer new ways for students to interact with physics and upper-level science content. This resource is single-handedly changing how I plan, present lessons, and incorporate technology in my physics classroom. I have to get the word out about how Boom™ Cards, a digital learning tool, can be used in the science classroom.

What are Boom™ Cards?

In short, Boom™ Cards are sets (called decks on the platform) of interactive task card lessons used to practice and assess concepts and skills…any lesson concept or skill for any subject at any level. Content area professionals build Boom™ Cards. Teachers at all levels benefit from using Boom™ Cards as a targeted practice to better student understanding of essential learning and standards.

• Boom™ Cards are DIGITAL

  Boom™ Card decks are available on the Boom™ Learning website or the Boom™ Learning app. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access Boom™ Cards anywhere! Boom™ Cards are compatible with smartphones, computers, tablets, and even innovative or interactive whiteboards.

• Boom™ Cards are CLOUD-BASED

  Boom™ Cards don’t take up your computer storage space! They are stored in the user’s library on the Boom™ Learning Platform. An Internet connection is required to buy and assign decks.

• Boom™ Cards are INTERACTIVE

  Using Boom™ Cards allows students to engage with lesson content in fun, new ways. When lessons get dry and dull, Boom™ Cards are just what everyone needs in the secondary science classroom. Here are just a few ways students can engage directly with content in Boom™ Cards:

  • Multiple choice questions (pictures, text, or multiple answers)

  • Fill in the blank

  • Reading passages with audio support

  • Drag and drop or matching

  • Voice recording and playing back

  • Online games

• Boom™ Cards are SELF-GRADING

  As students play a deck of Boom™ Cards, they receive instant feedback! Student performance can be tracked depending on your Boom™ Learning membership, allowing for easy progress monitoring in your high school science class.

• Boom™ Cards are designed for EVERY student and teacher

  Boom™ Cards are incredibly versatile and easy to use. Teachers can easily target specific topics and skills while collecting real-time data on student understanding. Decks have been designed for high school science students, allowing them to interact directly with lesson content in new ways.

How are Boom™ Cards used in Physics and Secondary Science classrooms?

All classes should incorporate technology into their lessons. Boom™ Cards are an easy-to-implement and effective way to get students to use technology in the secondary science classroom.

How does this fit into your physics or upper-level science class? Here’s how I use them:

• additional practice to elaborate and deepen student understanding

• homework for independent practice

• summarizing activity or exit ticket to assess student knowledge quickly

• sub plans that grade themselves

• review to prepare for a quiz or test

• tiered intervention for students who need additional help

No matter the topic, a Boom™ Card deck is ready to save you time and increase student engagement. For example, instead of just presenting a PowerPoint about lab safety, students can play a memory card game, allowing them time to discuss lab safety rules and procedures, enhance their understanding, and make connections.

Boom™ Cards are interactive, colorful, and fun for students of all ages and all levels of ability. Get kids engaged with the content even when nothing else sparks their interest. Assign decks for students to work individually or use them to work with groups. Some decks have fun academic games focused around a central physics or upper-level science topic, while others are straightforward practice. We all know that some of these secondary science concepts can be challenging for students; Boom™ Cards have been designed to make those tough subjects accessible to all students. Even your brightest students will be eager to use Boom™ Cards because they provide practice in new, engaging ways.

Which devices can Boom™ Cards be used on?

• Boom™ Cards on Computers

  If you have an internet connection, you can play Boom™ Cards anywhere. You can easily access decks on the Boom™ Learning website. Boom™ Cards should work on all your favorite browsers: Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

  Do you have students working from home? Perfect! Boom™ Cards can be assigned online for students to access anywhere, or you can present one-on-one with screen sharing.

• Boom™ Cards on Smartphones and Tablets

  You can download the FREE Boom™ Learning app from the AppStore for iPhones and iPads and from Google Play for Android devices. This is an excellent option for science teachers, learning coaches, and tutors who travel from class to class, meet with students one-on-one, or need a mobile option.

• Boom™ Cards on Smart or Interactive Whiteboards

  Using Boom™ Cards on an interactive whiteboard is a great way to practice content in physics or upper-level science classes. Connect the whiteboard’s projector to the computer to display the Boom™ Cards. Get the whole class involved in Boom™ Card play, even set up teams! Students can come to the board and play the Boom™ Cards on the whiteboard as they would on a tablet. This is a great way to review for an upcoming assessment!

Want to try FREE Boom™ Card decks?

Give my Lab Safety Memory Card Game a try in your class!

Use this deck as a pre-test to assess student knowledge before you begin any lab activities, or use it to review important lab safety rules and equipment locations after you’ve taught the lab safety lesson. You can find this deck on the Boom™ Learning website or on TpT!

Find new decks here on Boom™ Learning and here on TpT and learn how to assign Boom™ Card decks to students!

Ready to start right now? New users will receive a 10% discount on individual subscriptions with this link! (I may earn a small referral prize when you use my discount)

Boom™ is the trademark of Boom. Used with permission.