+
Handout
PBS

Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: Dance Pad Mania (Pdf) [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Hands-on challenge to build a dance pad that lets you use your feet to either flash a light or to sound a buzzer. Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to design, build, test, and redesign the pad if necessary. Activity...
+
Lesson Plan
SRI International

Performance Assessment Links in Science: Mystery Card 3

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Straightforward introduction to electrical circuits using minimal materials and time. Students learn about the basics of electrical circuits by experimenting with "mystery cards" -- index cards with hidden aluminum foil used to conduct...
+
Handout
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Chaotic Electric Circuit Explorer

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Simulation investigating the characteristics of two electrical circuits that exhibit chaotic behavior, Chua's circuit and an autonomous relaxation oscillator (ARO), by adjusting the settings.
+
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit (Ac+dc), Virtual Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
With this interactive students will build circuits with capacitors, inductors, resistors and AC or DC voltage sources, and inspect them using lab instruments such as voltmeters and ammeters. Students will observe and discuss electricity...
+
Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Ap Physics 2: Electric Circuits

For Students 9th - 10th
This unit teaches students the foundations of electrical circuits and introduces them to their simplest components. Covers series and parallel circuits, Kirchhoff's Rules, Ohm's Law, RC circuits, resistivity, and capacitance.
+
Activity
Museum of Science

Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Make a Circuit Board

For Students 3rd - 8th
Step-by-step illustrated instructions showing how to build a circuit board using everyday materials.
+
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Nxt Ball Shooter

For Teachers 4th - 8th
This activity helps students understand how a motor in a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot uses electricity produced by the battery to move a robot to do useful work in the form of throwing a ball. Students relate the concepts of electricity and...
+
Lesson Plan
Other

Bc Hydro: Power Smart for Schools: Electromagnetism

For Students 6th - 8th
This set of activities has students using everyday items (batteries, magnets, compasses, iron and paper clips) to reveal the connection between electricity and magnetism. Ideally, students will already have experience building simple...
+
Unit Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: 3 M Young Scientist Lab: Getting Connected

For Students 6th - 8th
Can you find the problem and fix the circuit in time for the Halloween contest?
+
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Introduction to Electric Power Systems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
College-level electrical engineering course highlighting electric power systems. Course introduces electric power and the conversion of electrical to mechanical energy. Course features include readings, assignments, and quizzes.
+
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Magnets and Electricity: Creating Magnetism With Electricity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students will work in small groups to design at least one complete circuit using multiple materials. They will record their observations of how they created an electrical circuit using diagrams and notes in their journals. Using a...
+
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Conductor or Insulator?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this investigation the students predict, experiment, and observe whether materials are insulators or conductors.
+
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Electricity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this interactive activity, young scholars will explore electricity and be able to design and create a complete electrical circuit. Students will also learn what is necessary to light a light bulb. Creative thought, ideas, and,...
+
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Getting the Lightbulb to Light Up

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students construct a simple electrical circuit using wires, batteries, and a lightbulb. From constructing a circuit the students will discover that when energy is produced there is heat.
+
Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Flashlights and Batteries

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students work in teams to explore how a flashlight works. This activity examines the topics of batteries, electron flow, circuit systems, switches, and bulbs.
+
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Diode Ladder Voltage Multipliers

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains the design of circuits that can be used to multiply and rectify AC voltages, e.g., to increase voltage in order to light an LED more effectively and get a brighter light from it.
+
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Soldering and Soldering Skills

For Students 9th - 10th
Soldering requires more skill than it looks. As with a lot of practical skills one learns a lot by trail, error and experience. Some tips are discussed here. These notes were written before regulations were introduced requiring solder to...
+
Handout
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Rc Circuit With Battery Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Simulation showing the simplest RC circuit, with a resistor and capacitor in series with one another, and a battery that can be switched in the series, or switched out of the circuit.
+
Handout
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Parallel Plate Capacitor

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A simulation investigating a parallel-plate capacitor which is charged by connecting one plate to the positive end of a battery, and the other plate to the negative end. The battery sends electrons from one capacitor plate to the other...
+
Handout
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Rc Circuit Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An electrical circuit simulation modeling the behavior of a voltage source attached in a series to a resistor and capacitor.
+
eBook
Other

Easyphysics: Chapter 15 the Circuit

For Students 9th - 10th
Learners investigate circuits. Some topics examined are a photo resistor, capacitor, and diode. The resource includes a circuit applet.
+
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Short Circuit

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how fuses and circuit breakers work to stop the flow of electricity in a circuit so as to prevent fires. This experiment requires caution.
+
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Circuits

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are introduced to several key concepts of electronic circuits. They learn about some of the physics behind circuits, the key components in a circuit and their pervasiveness in our homes and everyday lives. Students learn about...
+
Unknown Type
Physics Aviary

Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Finding Battery Voltage Simple

For Students 9th - 10th
Determine the voltage of the battery based on the colors of the resistor and the current in the circuit.