University of Minnesota
Virtual Neurons
It's electric! Young anatomists use Virtual Neurons software to build, control, and analyze complex nerve circuits within the body. Colorful and packed with content, class members enjoy interacting with the nervous system...
Curated OER
Electric Current and Circuits
Students view a basic circuit in operation and discuss what is happening behind the scenes. Using a worksheet with common electrical symbols, they diagram several setups of series circuits and discuss the flow of electrons. They solve...
Curated OER
Science: Mirrored Movements
This instructional activity provides students with a lab experience during which students construct a basic electric circuit and use it to explore dexterity skills. A chance to construct and operate a tool that extends a person's...
Curated OER
Watts Up with the Heat
Students create a variety of simple, series and parallel electrical circuits to illustrate how electricity flows through different types of basic circuits.
Curated OER
Wire Maze
Pupils investigate what causes electrical circuits to work. They construct a wire circuit and pass a paperclip through the maze, trying not to touch the wire, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
Two Kinds of Circuits
Fourth graders examine parallel and series ciruits. They experiment what happens if a bulb is removed from both a parallel and series circuit. They understand the differences between parallel and series ciruits,
Curated OER
Electrostatics
Students examine ways positive and negative charges are attracted and repelled by watching teacher demonstrations, and complete activity sheet related to classroom demonstration activities to prove proficiency of knowledge of...
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Electric Circuits
Middle schoolers model the flow of electrons in a circuit, draw diagrams of an electric circuit and build an electric circuit. Students explain how to tell when the path of an electric circuit is complete, and test the conductivity of a...
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From Sunlight to Electric Current
Students explore concept of current in electrical circuits. They examine how energy from the sun can be used to power everyday items, including vehicles.
Teach Engineering
Pointing at Maximum Power for PV
Following detailed directions, teams collect the voltage and current outputs of a photovoltaic cell by adjusting the resistance. Using the collected data, they determine the highest power output. Implications for weather and a large...
Curated OER
Stepper Motor
Students compare a stepper motor from a traditional motor. In this physics lesson, students summarize how it works. They build their own stepper motor and explore its uses.
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Conductors and Insulators
Students explore electrical terms and circuits. In this conductor lesson students divide into groups and complete a lab on electricity.
Curated OER
The Quest For Power
Students investigate and apply properties of math. In this algebra and physics lesson, students define important vocabulary words to create a basic understanding of keywords. They perform experiments using concepts of electricity and math.
Curated OER
The Shocking Truth About Fruit
Looking for a great lesson plan on circuits and conductors of electricity? Take a look at this one! In it, 6th graders create circuits out of pennies, washers, alligator clips, fruit, and LED’s. Learners use voltmeters to analyze the...
Curated OER
Using Transistors: Let's Get Transistorized!
Students build two circuits and explore how transistors function. This activity allow them to observe the operation of a transistor as an amplifier.
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On The Move
Fourth graders solve basic mathematical problems. They identify and apply key terms and equations relative to physical science. They discuss how train engines use fuel to move a generator, which creates electrical current that moves...
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Semiconductors
Students investigate the properites of a semiconductor device known as a diode. They recognize a diode as a one way conducting device. They describe alternating current and the use of a diode to convert it to direct current. Students...
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Characteristics of Energy
Fourth graders view a video and create a KWL to identify energy sources. In this energy sources instructional activity, 4th graders explore the meaning of energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, radiant energy, and...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Small Scale Sculpting: Etch Lab
Make works of art using a vintage yet effective etching strategy. The surface of a semiconductor chip has specific patterns formed through a process called etching. Through a lab investigation, young scholars recreate that process...
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Transformers
Students examine how a transformer works and its practical applications. In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments using transformers and generators.
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Making an Electromagnet
Students explore electromagnetic forces. In this electromagnetic lesson, students construct a working electromagnet and conduct a series of experiments to see what increases the strength of an electromagnet.
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Sound and Hearing
Students form an understanding that there are many different types of sound. The core concepts are presented in the most basic form for elementary school. Also students investigate how sound travels.
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Applied Science - Built Environment Pre Lab (Morse Code)
Young scholars study communication. In this telegraph activity, students examine Morse code and the composition of an elementary telegraph circuit. They listen to a presentation and try to create Morse Code messages on a worksheet. This...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Navigating at the Speed of Satellites
Students study the basic concepts of the Global Positioning System and how it increases the accuracy of navigation. They examine trilateration and how the speed of light is used to calculate distances.