CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Static Electricity and Static Discharge
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What static electricity and static discharge are, and how lightning occurs.
NASA
Lightning & Atmospheric Electricity Research at the Ghcc
This is the homepage for the Global Hydrology and Climate Center's Lightning Team. On this site, you will data from the Lightning Team's experiments; documents, reports, press releases, and an assortment of other information related to...
PBS
Nova Teachers: Lightning: Classroom Activity
This lesson plan allows learners can create static electricity and compare it to lightning.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Third Grade Science: Physical Science: Static Electricity
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses electric charge and electric force, and identifies ways that electric charge is transferred.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Physical Science: Static Electric Charge
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses electric charge and electric force, and identifies ways that electric charge is transferred.
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science: Vikings: What Is an Electric Circuit?
The god of thunder, Thor, controls thunder and lightning. Let's ask Thor about electric circuits.
Other
First Energy: The Electric Avenue: Energy Fun Factory
Here, students can learn all about energy sources and electricity. Activities include games and calculating energy costs in their homes.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Electricity in Nature
Kids learn about electricity in nature the science of physics including lightning, animals, the human body, the Earth, and static electricity.
Other
Fayette County Schools: Frankenstein & Electric Safety
Site contains a science-based literacy activity that explains how to use electricity in a safe manner. A worksheet is provided.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Nasa Online: Lightning and Static
The concepts of lightning and static charges are made easy to understand by watching this interactive graphic website. Basic terms are explained and illustrated as well.
NASA
Nasa: Where Lightning Strikes
A written and audio story about where in the world lightning has most often struck and is most likely to strike. Discusses how NASA was able to obtain this information. (Dec. 5, 2001)
Florida State University
Florida State University: Magnet Lab: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1750 1774
With his famous kite experiment and other forays into science, Benjamin Franklin advances knowledge of electricity, inspiring his English friend Joseph Priestley to do the same.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Static Electricity Thunder and Lightning
An activity where young scholars simulate the creation of thunder and lightning using simple materials, and learn how static electricity can produce sound.
University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin: 4 Electricity
A description of several demonstrations for static electricity concepts. The demonstrations utilizing the Telsa coil, Faraday cage, and Van de Graaff generator are ideal for demonstrating electric potential concepts. Suitable for student...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Franklin's Electricity
Some research puts Franklin's electrical work in the scientific and political context of his day. An interesting point of view, one not usually found in comments of Franklin and electrostatics. Done by a professor from University of...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Electric Ben Franklin
If it has to do with Benjamin Franklin, then you will probably find it here. There is much information about Franklin, his lightning experiment, Philadelphia, the Declaration, and more.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Electrified Ben
This site from the Franklin Institute Online provides a somewhat simplistic but interesting tale of Ben's electrical activities. Fine link to "electricity bells", in Franklin's own words. Some other links to projects, maybe not so...
Curated OER
Snaith Primary School: Settings: Lightning Storm
A color photograph by Tony Newlin of lightning streaking from the sky to the ground, trees, and houses below.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Super Sparker
This is an activity using common household materials that will demonstrate a static electricity discharge.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Fork Lightning
A beautiful display of fork lightning can be see in this photo. The intense electricity goes off in many directions as it gets closer to the ground.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Volcano Lightning
This incredible photo shows the rare occurence of lightning that forms from the generation of electrical charges inside the ash plumes of an erupting volcano.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium Where Does the Energy of a Spark Come From?
Activity 3 investigates Why is lightning so much bigger that a spark from the Van de Graff generator? In Activity 3 of this module, students investigate factors that affect the amount of potential energy that is stored.
Other
K 3 Learning Pages: Web Resources Thunderstorms
Check out this comprehensive list of web resources on thunderstorms and safety. Students and teachers will benefit from the links found on this site.