Curated OER
WiTricity Explained
Students explain how electricity is transferred from source to load without actual wires connecting the two. In this physics lesson, students explore how wireless electricity was discovered. They cite practical applications of this...
Curated OER
Galvanometers
Students construct their own galvanometer. In this physics lesson, students explain how it is used to detect electric current. They conduct an experiment to measure how much electricity flows through the circuit.
Curated OER
Van de Graaff Generator
Students explore static electricity using the Van de Graaff generator. In this physics lesson plan, students construct their own Van de Graaff using simple materials. They explain how charges accumulate on this device.
Curated OER
Rechargeable Batteries
Students explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics lesson plan, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their own battery charger...
Curated OER
Lemon Battery
Students construct their own battery made of lemons. In this electrochemistry lesson, students explain why lemons conduct electricity. They perform a series of experiments to investigate its conductivity.
Curated OER
Electricity Generation
Learners study the history of electricity and the different ways we generate electricity. In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on generating power.
Curated OER
Electrical Resistivity
Students examine how materials oppose the flow of an electrical current. In this resistivity lesson students complete several experiments on the differences between resistance and resistivity.
Curated OER
Electrical Battery
Students investigate the different types of batteries and how they work. In this energy lesson students experiment with batteries and see which ones last the longest.
Curated OER
Static Electricity 1: Introducing Atoms
Students explore webpages to research the nature of atoms, including electrons, protons, and neutrons. This lesson plan is the first of a four-part series on static electricity. They see that static electricity involves + and - charges.
Curated OER
Physical Science: Magnetism and Electricity
Students use a variety of objects to test for ability to "stick" to a magnet. They perform an experiment to see that electricity in circuits can produce light, heat, sound, and magnetic effects. They discover magnets attract and repel...
Curated OER
Electrifying Electricity
Learners explore the basics of electricity using common everyday items as well as demonstrate how parallel and series circuits can be used in electronics and electrical devices. They explore how common items in their world can be wired...
Curated OER
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Experiments
Students conduct a series of experiment on incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. In this physics lesson, students explain how they operate. They compare the efficiency and power rating of both bulbs.
Curated OER
Dependence of Light Intensity on Distance
Hopefully you have a sensor interface for your physics class to use with graphing calculators when collecting data with a light sensor. If so, read on. Use this resource for learners to predict and then test whether or not the intensity...
Curated OER
Fun with Circuits
What kinds of things need electricity to work? Kids draw the missing parts to three incomplete circuits in a learning exercise about power and electricity. The science exploration asks them to build a circuit to a light bulb, but this...
Curated OER
Hybrid Vehicles: Cut Pollution and Save Money
Math and science meet in this lesson plan on hybrid electric automobiles. This 24-page resource provides everything you need for teaching a lesson plan that compares the use of internal combustion engines to hybrid electric engines....
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Franklin, Master Diplomat
While many often associate Ben Franklin with his kite electricity experiments, budding historians find out he contributed much more. They discover Franklin's political savvy by examining primary sources in the informative installment of...
Chemistry Teacher
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids Lab
What an exciting way to introduce your blossoming chemists to the world of metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and polymers! Here is a lab activity that is designed to allow pupils the opportunity to visualize the reaction of metals,...
Ohio State University
Exploration Activities with Electrostatic Interactions
Step out of the 21st century and discover protons and electrons through observation. Using common materials, participants continually adjust their explanation of charges. The final assessment requires pupils to design their own...
Virginia Department of Education
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids
How can one easily classify metals, nonmetals, and metalloids? Pupils answer this question as they experiment with unknown substances and perform tests on conductivity, brittleness, and malleability to determine...
PHET
Faraday's Law
Could a flux capacitor really work? An engaging simulation encourages scholars to investigate Faraday's law. They experiment with various speeds, magnitude, voltage, and different-sized coils. Hopefully experimenters will be able to...
Science Matters
Forms of Energy
The amount of energy Americans use doubles every 20 years. The first lesson in a 10-part series teaches scholars about different forms of energy. They rotate through five stations with hands-on activities or experiments at each in order...
Scholastic
On or Off?
How does electricity work? Put an electric circuit into your own hands with a short experiment that makes a switch out of a battery, light bulb, and thumb tacks. Young scientists then respond to short answers about why the circuit...
Curated OER
Its Electric!
Fourth graders define the differences between static and current electricity by participating in an investigation. In this energy lesson, 4th graders utilize electrical supplies to demonstrate the differences between static and...
Curated OER
The Electric Guitar: Then and Now
Students study the history of the electric guitar. In this electric guitar lesson, students use print and Internet sources to research the history of the electric guitar. Students use their research findings to create PowerPoint...