Students usually encounter difficulty when learning exponent laws in junior math classes.  Whether it is related to keeping the laws straight in their heads, applying them, or conceptually understanding what is really happening.  I identify this as a challenge from the numerous quizzes and tests that I have marked over the years.  Like other challenges in math class, I often see students memorizing the rules so that they can apply them to get marks.  For some teachers, the difficulty in this topic lies in finding a way for students to construct their understanding.  Usually, teachers will show what the rule is and how it works and then let the students practice.

I found a desmos activity that is not necessarily a simulation, but an interactive resource that engages students in creating and understanding the exponent laws.  The students start with compiling cards with various representations of exponents into like piles, I would insert group collaboration to compare and generate the exponent rules.  Then students have a few more activities (that are submitted to the teacher) which encourage reflection of the exponent laws, or evaluation.  Next, students are asked to create their own expression with an answer key and submit to class for more collaboration. This step can encourage modification of the rules if students are encountering incorrect answers. A final challenge can solidify any changes to the initial rules.

*Not sure if other math teachers have seen this resource https://teacher.desmos.com/