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How Many? How Far? How Thick?
Fifth graders examine the role of magnetism and electricity. In groups, they are given different types of magnets and discover how the magnetic force differs for each one. They measure the amount of distance a paper clip moves toward...
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What is an Electromagnet?
Students give examples of electromagnet applications. In this physics lesson plan, students explore what makes electromagnets work. They experiment picking paper clips with it.
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Now, That's a Bright Idea!
Students explore the role that electricity plays in their daily lives, both in school and at home. They conduct research on energy usage in various rooms of the school and in their homes and create posters, graphs, and analyses of their...
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An Introduction To Material Sciences
Students investigate the concept of molecular structure. They describe the behavior of simulated molecules and identify any dislocations in crystalline structures. They also define various related vocabulary words and use them in...
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Life of Thomas Edison
Students research the life of Thomas Edison. In this Thomas Edison instructional activity, students explore major life events of Thomas Edison. Students investigate the inventions of Thomas Edison. Students discover how various fields...
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Lightning
Students uncover the science behind lightning and thunder.Theyexamine electrical attraction between like and unlike charges, and the force that creates lightning, is first explained using static electricity.
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Circuit Lab
Students explore the properties of electricity. This lab shows students the need for a circuit in order to have a flow of electricity. It demonstrates Ohm's law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance.
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Allocating Energy from a Photovoltaic System
Students analyze the power ratings of appliances they use on a daily basis and for the amount of time used each day. After examining their electric energy usage, students develop examples of compromises that could be made in order to...
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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.
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Magnet Mania
Students explore magnetic fields. In this science lesson, students create a magnetic field using electricity. Students observe the effect of a magnetic field on the compass needle.
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Plugged in to CO2
Learners use a meter to measure the energy used and carbon produced by electronics and appliances. In this environmental science and technology lesson, students use a Kill-A-Watt meter to determine the electricity used by everyday...
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A Toast To The Past
Young scholars analyze, and research the identity of the non electric toaster as a historical artifact. In this toaster lesson plan, students then create a visual timeline of toaster history.
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Types of Trains
Third graders explore different types of trains. In this science lesson, 3rd graders study the "Orphan Train" and write a paragraph about what it would feel like to be riding a train during this time period.
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Clustering
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of clustering. In groups, they use their new science vocabulary words to put into a web or cluster. To end the lesson, they read a book related to electricity and write the definitions of any...
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Technology (Post Lab): Utility Companies
Students study physics. For this utility company research lesson, students discover how their local utility company charges for electricity. They listen to a presentation and then conduct internet research to find more information on...
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How is Lightning Formed
Learners research lightning paying particular attention to how it is formed, where it is most likely to occur, and how most people struck by lightning survive.
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Open and Closed Circuits
Young scholars distinguish between open and closed circuits. In this open and closed circuits lesson plan, students use their bodies as electric conductors and understand how electricity is a form of energy.
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Are you an Energy Saver STAR?
Young scholars examine how to use energy more efficiently in their own home. They collect data from their home, complete a chart, read a power meter, interpret the data from an electric and gas bill, and create a poster demonstrating how...
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Watts Up with the Heat
Students create a variety of simple, series and parallel electrical circuits to illustrate how electricity flows through different types of basic circuits.
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Making an Electromagnet
Young scholars explore electromagnetic forces. In this electromagnetic activity, students construct a working electromagnet and conduct a series of experiments to see what increases the strength of an electromagnet.
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Naturally Magnetic Elements
Students explore naturally magnetic elements. For this magnets lesson, students examine the periodic table of elements. Students discover the parts of an atom and determine which three elements are magnetic.
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Nuclear Waste
Students identify pros and cons of nuclear power, and analyze problems surrounding nuclear waste and how to make decisions regarding its disposal.
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Insulators And Conductors
High schoolers investigate the flow of electricity and how it effects different objects in the classroom as being classified as an insulator or conductor. They work in teams to test the conductivity of different classroom objects after...
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Protecting Treasures
Students explore electricity by creating an alarm. In this circuitry instructional activity, students analyze a diagram of a circuit based alarm which detects sunlight. Students utilize electrical equipment to recreate the circuit and...