Curated OER
Fossil Fuels, Who Needs Them
Ninth graders explore how electricity is created and distributed through alternative production methods. Students participate in hands-on activities, research, lecture based instruction, and CD ROM resources.
Curated OER
3-D Magnetic Field
Students create a magnetic field. In this investigative lesson students design their own magnetic field so that they can see how magnetism and electricity work.
Curated OER
Magnets, Electromagnets, and Motors
Students investigate the concepts of magnetism and its properties. They construct a magnet and test foods for iron content. Then students define the use of a motor and make their own electric motor while working in small groups. Then...
Curated OER
Activity One -- Fundamentally Speaking
In this science worksheet, students examine how the universe is bound with the atomic particles and focus upon the findings of two historical scientists.
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What's a Capacitor?
Young scholars explain concepts of charge storage, how a capacitor works and how DRAM uses capacitors to store memory. They construct a capacitor and use a multimeter with capacitance meter capability to measure the stored charge in the...
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The BristleBot
Here you will find detailed instructions for constructing BristleBots, simple robots run by miniscule vibration motors. There is no lesson plan, just a procedure for producing these fun little contraptions. They could be used as an...
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Creating Energy From Water
Students study water and its energy. In this water energy lesson plan, students discuss hydroelectricity and make models of water turbines.
Carnegie Mellon University
Renewables Workshop
Youngsters examine resource maps to find out which states are using solar and wind power and discuss as a class various other renewable energy sources. They use a provided data table to record pros and cons to each technology, build and...
It's About Time
A Moving Frame of Reference
We often remind pupils to cite their references, but this lesson helps them understand there are many frames of reference. Scholars experiment with throwing a ball straight up in the air and catching it. Then they must do it again...
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Electrical Engineers for a Day
Young scholars build a robot out of a 3-¿¿ inch floppy disk drive, two floppy disks, and some other miscellaneous supplies. They apply information they gather about electrical circuits from a web-based circuit design program.
Curated OER
Reliability Check of Power Grid
Students complete a simulation on power grid reliability check. In this physics lesson, students discuss the consequences of power grid failures. They complete a simulation worksheet.
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The Invention of Faraday Cage
Students demonstrate how Faraday's cage work by building their own electroscope. In this physics lesson, students explain how Faraday's cage work. They cite several applications of this principle in the real world.
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Let There Be Light
Fifth graders explore electricity. In this electricity lesson, 5th graders experiment with open and closed circuits. Students determine how to properly connect a battery and bulb to illuminate the bulb.
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Parallel Circuits
Young scholars investigate the way an electrical circuit works. In this physics lesson, students use voltmeters and ammeters to measure voltage. They construct a circuit using provided circuit kits.
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Unknown Element Project
Pupils work with a partner to determine the identity of an unknown element based on given descriptions. Groups use classroom textbooks, encyclopedias, and science internet sites to identify their unknown element then write a report as...
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Design Project: Voltmeter
In this physics worksheet, students design and build a multi-range voltmeter. They answer 3 short answer problems about the device.
Curated OER
Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
For this elements, compounds, and mixtures worksheet, students answer questions about the properties of elements, mixtures, and compounds. Students identify the physical changes that is made to a substance to determine if it is an element.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #13 Solarize a Toy
Young scholars work in teams they select a low-power toy, game, or electrical deive to "solarize," or convert to solar power. They determine the operating voltage of their chosen device and design a solar array to provide this level of...
Curated OER
Solar Energy Connection
Students conduct solar experiments. They calculate the solar gain and operate a solar cell devise used to generate electricity. Students compare and contrast solar energy gain with students in India. They analyze the difference...
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Corrosion to Corals
Students study galvanic exchange and how it produces electric currents. In this ocean instructional activity students predict what metals deteriorate in salt water.
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Will the Lights Go Out?
Students diagram nuclear power plant, describe process for generating electrical power, discuss nuclear disasters in the 20th century, and draw conclusion about value of nuclear power for the future.
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Parts of a Solar Panel-Part I
Young scholars examine electrical contacts, solar cells, and rechargeable batteries and compare and contrast the characteristics of a solar cell to a rechargeable battery in a hands-on activity. Students complete a worksheet as they...
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Thar She Blows!: Wind Power
Students examine how wind energy is transformed into electrical energy. In pairs, they build miniature wind turbines and measure how much electrical current they produce. They asses the importance of design and position in energy...
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TE Lesson: Renewable Energy
Young scholars examine renewable energy sources such as solar, water, and wind. They experiment to determine how renewable energy is transformed into electricity. They investigate the role of engineers who work in the field of renewable...