Curated OER
Thomas Edison's Bright Ideas
Thomas Alva Edison may be one of the most well-known scientists to elementary or middle schoolers. Use his story to show that he invented more than just the light bulb and to inspire youngsters to work hard! You could use this on the...
Colorado State University
How Can You Demonstrate the Different Efficiencies of Different Light Bulbs?
Need a bright idea for an engaging lab? Watch your class light up as they explore the difference in efficiency between incandescent and LED bulbs! The resource makes use of simple materials and encourages learners to infer what's...
DiscoverE
Make a Light Bulb
Could you reinvent the light bulb? Scholars tap into their inner Thomas Edisons to build a light bulb prototype out of a jar and some wires. They see how long the filament wire glows in the jar (batteries not included) to measure their...
Curated OER
Light Bulbs are Almost Burned Out
Incandescent light bulbs were enlightening more than 130 years when Thomas Edison invented them. More recently, US Congress passed legislation to increase efficiency standards. Your 5th, 6th, or 7th graders will be enlightened as they...
Curated OER
Edison and the Light Bulb
Students explore the impact of inventions on society, specifically Edison and the light bulb. In this technology lesson, students use online resources and listen to a story about Edison to develop an understanding of how the light bulb...
Curated OER
Thomas Edison's Inventions in the 1900s and Today: From "New" to You!
Students research types of technology available to Americans at the beginning of the 20th century and compare the style of living to modern times. They identify Thomas Edison's contributions to technology and their own current lifestyles.
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: Thomas Edison's Lightbulb
Watch lightbulbs go off in learners' heads as they look at a patent for Thomas Edison's most famous invention. After examining the light bulb patent, young historians speculate on how the invention changed life in the 1880s and its...
New Jersey Historical Commission and New Jersey Council for the Humanities
Thomas Edison: The Wizard of Menlo Park
What would change in your daily life due to a power outage? Here, learners explore the inventions brought to us by the one and only, Thomas Edison, and imagine a day without them. Scholars take part in a grand conversation and write a...
PBS
Thomas Edison: Inventor and Entrepreneur
How many of Thomas Edison's inventions do your scholars use every day? They might be shocked to find out! Young historians watch a video, analyze a photograph, and read one of Edison's letters to learn more about his life and impact....
Curated OER
Incandescent Light Bulb
Students study the history of the light bulb and how an incandescent light bulb works. In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on the light bulb.
Curated OER
The Improvement of the Electric Light Bulb
Students study how the first electric light was made and the history behind it. For this electricity lesson students create their own light bulb.
Curated OER
Comparing Light Bulbs
Fifth graders compare filaments in different light bulbs. In this science lesson, 5th graders view the filaments of light bulbs under a microscope.
NEST Family Learning
Thomas Edison: Resource and Activity Book
What other inventions was Thomas Edison responsible for besides the telegraph and lightbulb? Incorporate a set of worksheets into your study of Edison and other inventors. The 48-page packet includes all types of activities from word...
History Alive!
Thomas Edison: Inventor, Lecturer and Prankster
It's no small wonder that a lightbulb has come to represent a bright idea. The light bulb, the bright idea of Thomas Edison, was just one of his over 1,000 inventions. A teacher's guide introduces young audiences to works of the man who...
Curated OER
History of the Telephone, Radio, and Light Bulb
Students research and discuss the history of the telephone, radio, and light bulb. In this invention history lesson, students access Internet sites to explore the inventors and the invention of the telephone, the radio, and the light...
Curated OER
Turn on the Light, Thomas Edison by Peter and Connie Roop
In this literature worksheet, 5th graders read the novel Turn on the Light, Thomas Edison by Peter and Connie Roop and then answer ten reading comprehension questions about the novel.
Read Works
Edison Tried and Tried Again
How many times did it take Thomas Edison to invent a successful working lightbulb? Young learners read a short passage about this famous inventor and his determination in getting an idea to work successfully. Then, pupils respond to four...
Curated OER
Saving on Lighting Energy Activity
In this saving energy worksheet, students compare and contrast the effectiveness of compact fluorescent lighting, incandescent light bulbs, and light emitting diodes.
Curated OER
Incandescent Light Bulbs
In this light bulbs worksheet, students read about the creation of incandescent light bulbs and compare them with halogen bulbs. Students complete 3 short answer questions.
San Antonio Independent School District
Inventions and Innovation
What effect did innovations like the Bessemer Process, the light bulb, and the telephone have on the industrialization of the United States? Here is a nice graphic organizer that will help your young historians approach this question.
Curated OER
American Inventors
In this nineteenth-century American inventors online interactive learning exercise, students read paragraphs about Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Graham Bell and their inventions and answer comprehensive questions....
Curated OER
Electric Light Tower
Students examine the San Jose Light Tower as an example of the development of urban lighting circa 1900. They view a slideshow, conduct research and write newspapers to chronicle the lighting ceremony from a variety of perspectives.
Curated OER
Inventor's Challenge
For this science worksheet, students use reference materials to complete the information for each inventor, including invention created and their nationality. They also construct a time line to illustrate the development of technology...
Curated OER
Life of Thomas Edison
Students research the life of Thomas Edison. In this Thomas Edison lesson, students explore major life events of Thomas Edison. Students investigate the inventions of Thomas Edison. Students discover how various fields of study interact...