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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Electric Vocabulary

For Students 9th - 10th
Video talks about the history of vocabulary associated with electricity and electric phenomena. [6:56] Followed by a short quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Batteries: The Shocking Truth

For Students 6th - 8th
Here you can find what you need to scientifically assess battery performance. In this exercise (that should take about one week) learn how batteries work, how they wear out and most importantly, how to make valid measurements to assess...
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Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Experiments With Homemade Batteries

For Students 9th - 10th
Simple homemade batteries are described that can be made from items found in the home or school lab. These experiments help students understand how to wire them up, the origin of current, voltage and power, as well as the chemistry that...
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Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit (Dc Only), Virtual Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches and take measurements with laboratory equipment like the realistic ammeter and voltmeter.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: Rough Science

For Students 9th - 10th
Website companion to PBS show, "Rough Science," in which five scientists use their collective expertise to complete a series of tasks. Follow the scientists as they do things like generate electricity, make soap, make antibacterial...
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Inventive Life

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a complete resource for learning about Edison's life, his inventions, and electricity. If you like experimenting, there are instructions included for how to make your own light bulb. Good photos.
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Article
DOGO Media

Dogo News: Battery of the Future May Be Made of Paper

For Students 5th - 8th
Read about the development of a paper battery in Sweden. Includes video.
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Website
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Land, Waste, and Cleanup Topics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is loaded with information on solid waste and hazardous waste. It includes industries' effects on the environment, waste programs, treatment, control, pollution prevention, recycling, and cleanup programs.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/electricity & Magnetism

For Students 9th - 10th
Exploratorium Science Snacks are miniature science exhibits and experiments that can be made with common, inexpensive, easily available materials. These electricity snacks represent a set of devices that you can build and experiment with...
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eBook
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Primary and Secondary Batteries

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site examines a variety of topics related to electrochemistry. In particular, this site explores a range of topics related to batteries including primary and secondary batteries,...
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Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: You'll Get a Charge Out of This!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students make a battery using different fruits and vegetables, a copper penny, and a zinc washer. They use a voltage probe to collect data on voltage and compare the values of different batteries.
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Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Lemon "Juice"

For Teachers 6th - 8th
"Juice" is a slang term sometimes used for electricity. Batteries are made up of one or more cells. Cells often consist of two different materials in a solution that are connected to each other by a wire. In this experiment, you will...
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Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Mercury

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a user navigated slide show with animations providing basic information about the element Mercury.
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Activity
Science Museum, London

Science Museum: Pocket Motor

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Teacher directed activity shows students how flowing electrical current produces a magnetic field by building a simple motor.
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Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Flashlights and Batteries

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners work in teams to explore how a flashlight works. This activity examines the topics of batteries, electron flow, circuit systems, switches, and bulbs.
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Handout
US Environmental Protection Agency

Epa: Smelting Lead Containing Waste

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes a process by which waste lead can be reclaimed from materials such as batteries.
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Handout
University of Waterloo (Canada)

Computer Assisted Chem. Tutorial/chemistry of Batteries

For Students 9th - 10th
A superb explanation of how a battery works. Discusses the associated chemistry which explains how a battery produces a voltage. Includes a series of "Confidence Building Questions."
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Ohm's Law

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] For this lesson, students learn about the invention of the battery and how a battery works, and about resistance in an electrical circuit. As well, Ohm's Law is used...
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physical Science: Chemical and Solar Cells

For Students 7th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How chemical and solar cells work and produce an electric current.
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Handout
Chem4kids

Chem4 Kids: Lithium

For Students 3rd - 8th
Here at Chem4Kids you can find some great information about the third element in the periodic table, lithium. Content focuses on lithium's electrons, where you can find lithium in nature, and how it bonds with other elements (or with...
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Activity
Museum of Science

The Atom's Family: Fruity Electricity

For Students 3rd - 8th
Frankenstein's electricity is out. In this activity, students help him find another source of energy using citrus fruit. Good for students who want to do their own projects or for class lessons.
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eBook
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site examines a variety of topics related to electrochemistry. In particular, this site explores a range of topics related to batteries and fuel cells.
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Unit Plan
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Common Misconceptions Regarding Electric Circuits

For Students 9th - 10th
In this tutorial, preconceived ideas regarding the nature of charge flow and the role of a battery in a circuit are addressed. In many instances, these preconceived notions about charge flow and batteries are incorrect ideas and are...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Chemistry Simulation: Battery

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore how batteries use redox reactions to create electrical energy to power a flashlight.