TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bulbs & Batteries in a Row
Everyday we are surrounded by circuits that use "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are composed of many simpler parallel and series circuits. During this activity, students build a simple...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Building an Electromagnet
Student teams investigate the properties of electromagnets. They create their own small electromagnet and experiment with ways to change its strength to pick up more paper clips. Students learn about ways that engineers use...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ohm's Law 2
This extension to the Ohm's Law I activity, students will observe just how much time it takes to use up the "juice" in a battery, and if it is better to use batteries in series or parallel.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Lights Out!
This lesson introduces the concept of electricity by asking young scholars to imagine what their life would be like without electricity. Two main forms of electricity, static and current, are introduced. Students learn that electrons can...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Electrons on the Move
Students learn about current electricity and necessary conditions for the existence of an electric current. Students construct a simple electric circuit and a galvanic cell to help them understand voltage, current and resistance.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Go With the Flow
Students gain an understanding of the difference between electrical conductors and insulators, and experience recognizing a conductor by its material properties. In a hands-on activity, students build a conductivity tester to determine...
Other
About Tva (Tennessee Valley Authority)
A comprehensive site on the Tennessee Valley Authority. Includes history of the TVA from the 30's to the present with loads of other details. The FAQ is helpful. Includes the complete text of the act creating the TVA.
Read Works
Read Works: Electricity & Energy Electrical Safety
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text listing electricity safety tips. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous Inventors Thomas Edison
[Free Registration/Login Required] This short biographical piece shares information about Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, light bulb, motion picture camera, and more. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Energy
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses the definition of energy, the SI unit, and the seven different forms of energy.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: The World's 1st Hydroelectric Plant
This three-page article explores the operation of the first hydroelectric power plant and the spread of renewable energy in the United States.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Thomas Alva Edison
A variety of images, photographs, and information on the life of Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) can be found in the site by the Library of Congress. Information can be found here regarding his invention and influence on American society....
Curated OER
National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Thomas Edison
This site includes information about Thomas Edison's inventions and his home and family life. Find a lengthy biography and several sounds from Edison's original phonograph.
Chem4kids
Chem4 Kids: Atoms: Electrons
Learn about an electron's negative charge, location, and role in bonding. Website also investigates electrons uses in electricity.
Other
Electrical Safety Council: Switched on Kids: Electricity Safety
Explore a house for dangers lurking from careless behaviors around electricity. Students can take a quiz afterwards and print a certificate. Includes games, coloring pages, lesson materials, and resources for parents.
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Keeping an Eye on Ions
Discusses the development of a new rocket engine that operates by the ion propulsion as opposed to gas propulsion. Well written and great graphics!