Curated OER
Wind Power! 2
Fourth graders explore how engineers transform wind energy into electrical energy by building their own miniature wind turbines and measuring the electrical current it produces. They see how design and position affect the electrical...
Curated OER
Wind Turbine Kit
In this physics worksheet, students set up a wind turbine kit to identify what happens when it is assembled. They describe how energy is transferred within the circuit created and how many blades give the highest voltage.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #1 Solar Cell Inquiry
Students use a selection of solar panels, lamps, motors, and an AA battery to get as many motors or lights to operate as they can in an allotted time period. For each successful arrangement, they draw a diagram of their setup, label the...
Curated OER
Things Are Heating Up!
Third graders study how heat is produced from mechanical and electrical machines and human activities.
Curated OER
Function Junction
Middle schoolers identify the internal and external components of computers, robots and fan. In this physics lesson, students draw a circuit diagram of their electronic components. They create a battery tester in the lab.
Curated OER
Hybrid Automobiles
Young scholars explain the basic principles of gasoline engines as propulsion for vehicles. They cite reasons why alternatives for gasoline engines are being considered and explain differences between a motor and an engine.
Curated OER
Let's Make a Solar Car
Students transform a car that they have built out of K'NEX into a solar car. Students add one or two solar cells to the car to power a DC motor then connect the motor to the car and come up with a method to drive the car. This is the...
Curated OER
Wind Power
What a wonderful way to explore wind power! Through this lesson, learners get a background in the history of wind power, create their own wind turbine, and the test their designs. This is a terrific way to tie scientific principles to...
Nikola Tesla documentary student worksheet
PBS documentary: Tesla - Master of Lightning; this worksheet will keep the students engaged while watching this excellent documentary about Tesla. The documentary can be found on Netflix or YouTube. It will take two class periods to...
Curated OER
The Historical Development of Magnetism
Students discuss the history and importance of magnets to the world. For this magnetism lesson, students write an essay of a world without magnets. Students may research addition information to add details about uses of magnets.
Curated OER
Science: Wind Power
Students build models of wind turbines and experiment with different designs that will improve efficiency. Students will understand the use of wind power as a renewable resource.
Curated OER
Magnetic Discovery Bottle
Students examine how to conduct simple investigations and use simple equipment to gather data. In this magnet lesson students decide what types of objects are attracted to magnets.
Curated OER
Making A Compass
This interesting science instructional activity is about the compass. Students make a compass out of a magnet, sewing needle, cork, and a glass dish. The instructional activity includes both a pre and post-test for the students to take,...
Curated OER
Wind Power for Educators
Students explore wind power as a renewable resource. In this wind power instructional activity students build models of wind turbines and experiment with different changes to see if it increases efficiency.
Curated OER
21st Century Medicine: Nerves of Steel
Young scholars model a sarcomere's action, they gain a kinesthetic and visual understanding of muscle contraction. They use this exercise stimulates the production of myosin and actin. Students use two colors of clay, make a "sandwich"...
Curated OER
Current-Carrying Coils In Magnetic Fields
Students predict the direction of movement for the pointer of a home-made galvanometer for a given current direction and describe how the current-carrying coil exerts a force on the magnet.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Electric Motor
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn how magnetic forces acting on current-carrying wires can be used to drive an electric motor using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available. [2:47]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Electric Motors
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] The design and function of electric motors are covered in this lesson.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Electromagnetism and Electric Motors
Kids learn about electromagnetism and electric motors in the science of electricity and physics including the right-hand rule, generation, and induction.
Other
Grinnell College: Demonstration Electric Motor
An elegant picture of a pre-1900 electric motor, from the museum's collection. Brief caption included.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Timeline of Electricity and Magnetism: 1820 1829
Hans Christian Orsted's accidental discovery that an electrical current moves a compass needle rocks the scientific world; a spate of experiments follows, immediately leading to the first electromagnet and electric motor.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: A Practical Application of Electro Magnetism
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This lesson explains how an electric motor works.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Generators and Motors
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This lesson explains how a generator and a motor work. Includes a simulation for exploring generators.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Electromagnetic Devices
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes electromagnetic devices and how they work.