Captain Planet Foundation
Solar Cooking Race
Study heat transfer with activities that focus on how heat energy works. Using a solar cooker, ice cubes, and heat transfer bracelets, kids experiment and record what they find by keeping ice cubes cold and vegetables hot.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #13 Solarize a Toy
Students 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
Electricity 2
Fifth graders build on what they already know and classify examples of electricity in their lives into two categories: static and current electricity. They explore the difference between static and current electricity and provide...
Curated OER
Electricity/ Electron Flow
Students participate in a lab that demonstrates the way that electrons flow. They feel a small current travel through one hand and change in intensity as the position of their hand changes and an insulating piece is placed in the...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Post-Lab
Students investigate energy. In this Physics lesson, students explore different sources of energy: heat, nuclear, and chemical. Students sing an electricity song.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (3A) Pre Lab
Third graders discuss electric currents. In this circuit instructional activity, 3rd graders create a picture of a battery circuit and a light bulb. They show the positive and negative charge and the flow of electrons.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Built Environment (3) Pre Lab
Third graders discuss types of transportation. In this transportation lesson, 3rd graders discuss common ways people get around and the effect of electric energy on our society. They write a paragraph about different kinds of...
Curated OER
Science Lesson: Home-made Generator
Students are able to design and conduct an experiment related to electrical generation. They are able to list the factors that affect the amount of current that can be generated by a simple generator, such as the number of turns of...
Curated OER
How to Build an Electric Motor
Sixth graders build a working motor. In this lesson on motors, 6th graders use an inquiry method of learning to discover how to create a working electric motor with the supplies given to them. The teacher will guide them as needed....
Curated OER
Electrical Appliances
Students explore electricity in daily life by examining everyday appliances. In this electrical current lesson, students identify the differences between watts, volts and amps and how they relate to the devices we depend upon. Students...
Curated OER
Wind Provides Electricity for Homes, Schools
Students complete a KWL chart, then read a news article about the comeback of windmills. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a KWL chart and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report...
Curated OER
Introduction to Electric Circuits
High schoolers explore using a circuit board in this physics lesson. They will analyze current and battery set up on a circuit board. Teachers check the board before the students experiment.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Pre-Lab
Students describe the science of physics. In this Physics lesson, students observe examples of physics within their classroom. Students create a definition for physics.
Curated OER
Applied Science -Physics (2B) Pre Lab
Second graders look at different types of energy. In this energy lesson, 2nd graders define energy and the difference between kinetic and potential energy. They see examples with falling books and a slinky.
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Factors Affecting Friction
Students investigate the effect of weight on normal friction or the friction due to surface roughness. They tell about the effects of contact area that occurs as a result of molecular attraction by looking at data on line graphs.
Curated OER
Science and Technology Timeline
Students develop a time line of discoveries that have occurred in their lifetime. In this time line lesson plan, students research scientifically or technologically related events of interest to them, write a brief description on a 4x6"...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (5A) Lab
Fifth graders explore electromagnetic waves and light. In this light lesson, 5th graders draw the parts of a wave of the electromagnetic spectrum. They compare a flashlight to a laser to see how the light looks when shined through...
Curated OER
Static Electricity
In this static electricity worksheet, students use balloons, flannel cloths, and a plastic bag to create static electricity. Students then fill out 3 tables and answer 3 short answer questions.
Carnegie Mellon University
How Power Plants Work 3
Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble! Find out what drives a turbine to generate electricity and whether or not it has an impact on the environment. A discussion and lecture is divided by a hands-on activity in...
Curated OER
Van der Graaf
Four demonstrations with the Van der Graaf generator are delineated for you to share with your science classes. Instructions, explanations, and safety precautions are included. However, a background explanation of the static electricity...
Mr. E. Science
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
The biggest magnet in the world is at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and can reach 100 tesla. By comparison, magnets that lift cars are about two tesla. The 11th presentation in this series covers magnetism, focusing on...
Exploratorium
Motor Effect
The magnetic wire. Class members create a magnetic field by running electricity through a wire. The video included in the resource provides information on how this effect is used to make electrical motors.
Teach Engineering
Building a Piezoelectric Generator
In pairs, learners build a piezoelectric generator from readily available electric components in the second and final installment of the two-part series. Tapping the piezoelectric element produces enough electricity to light an LED....
DiscoverE
Oranges and Batteries
Orange you glad you can make circuits using fruit? Young electricians learn about electric circuits and electricity. As part of the lesson, they build a circuit with an orange and then with a banana.