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Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Series and Parallel Circuits

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The core of this lesson is simple circuits and the differences between parallel and series circuit design. Students perform experiments to test the differences between the two circuit designs using low voltage light bulbs.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: How Quantum Mechanics Explains Global Warming

For Students 9th - 10th
You've probably heard that carbon dioxide is warming the Earth. But how exactly is it doing it? Lieven Scheire uses a rainbow, a light bulb and a bit of quantum physics to describe the science behind global warming. [5:01]
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Lesson Plan
Broward Education Foundation

Broward Education Foundation: Generating Fun With Alternative Energy [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students took what they had learned and created a matching game (simple circuit board) for others to test their knowledge about energy. The matching game illuminates a light bulb, when the correct matching pairs are selected.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the long-lasting, practical electric light bulb, Thomas Edison.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Lunar Lollipops

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
The students work in teams of two to discover the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and Moon that produce the different phases of the Moon. The students will be given a Styrofoam ball that they will attach to a pencil so that it looks...
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Interactive
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Electric Circuits: Circuit Builder

For Students 9th - 10th
Students manipulate this virtual electronic circuit board where they can add resistors, light bulbs, wires, and ammeters to build a circuit, explore Ohm's law, and compare and contrast series, parallel, and combination circuits. Three...
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Activity
University of Virginia

Uva Virtual Lab: Resistors and Capacitors and High Voltage

For Students 9th - 10th
In this simulation a battery will be used to charge a capacitor. The capacitor will then be used to operate a light bulb until the capacitor is discharged.
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Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Fluorescent Lamp 1934

For Students 9th - 10th
Compared to incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps last longer, require less energy and produce less heat, advantages resulting from the different way in which they generate light.
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Activity
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Atomic Emission Lamps: Atomic Emission Spectra

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] In this interactive you will drag each gas bulb into the red circle to excite them and see their emission spectrum. You will need a sign-in to access this media, but it will be worth your time!
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Handout
Other

Black Inventor Online Museum: Lewis Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
The biography of the fascinating African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. In addition to finding out about his development of the carbon filament for the incandescent lamp, you can read about his expertise in patent law, his association...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Wizard of Menlo Park

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison. Find out about his childhood, some of his famous inventions, and even some of his mistakes.
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Primary
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Electrifying America

For Students 9th - 10th
This primary source set explores the development, commercialization, and impact of electricity.
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Primary
US National Archives

Nara: American Originals

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of important documents highlighting events in United States history. These at one point were on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. Each document is accompanied by a short description of its significance.
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Website
Rutgers University

Rutgers: The Thomas Edison Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
Links to copies of papers written by Thomas Edison. Also includes biographical information and copies of his patents and companies.
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Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Lewis Howard Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an excellent biography of Lewis Howard Latimer. It discusses his joy of learning throughout his entire life, and also includes additional links to help illustrate the topics presented.
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Handout
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Technology of the 1800s

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Article considers the inventions and innovations in communication, transportation, and manufacturing that drove America forward in the nineteenth century. Includes a link to an interactive history of...
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Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Inventors & Inventions From the 1700s

For Students 3rd - 6th
Use this site to learn more about early inventors and inventions from the 18th century. This web page offers text and images on various inventors and their inventions. You can also access information about inventors and inventions from...
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Edison After Forty

For Students 9th - 10th
This online exhibition traces Edison's life, both personal and professional after he reached forty. Historic, primary materials are included.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Invention Features: Lewis Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
Smithsonian site features the life and many accomplishments of Lewis Latimer, the famous African-American inventor.
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy Conservation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students are introduced to the idea that energy use impacts the environment and our wallets. They discuss different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, as well as the impacts of energy consumption. Through a series of...
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 3rd - 8th
A variety of images, photographs, and information on the life of Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) can be found in the site by the Library of Congress. Information can be found here regarding his invention and influence on American society....
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Website
Curated OER

National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
This site includes information about Thomas Edison's inventions and his home and family life. Find a lengthy biography and several sounds from Edison's original phonograph.
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Website
Other

Edision Birthplace Museum: Birthplace of Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical look at Thomas Edison from the museum of his birthplace. Provides information on his life and his inventions. Also gives a tour of Edison's birthplace.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Facts About Thomas Edison

For Students 4th - 8th
Read about the life of Thomas Edison and his many inventions.

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