Science Matters
Conductors and Insulators
Get that energy flowing while classes study conductors and insulators. Using a simple circuit, learners test different materials to determine the strength of conductivity. They use their results to classify materials as conductors or...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Insulators and Conductors
In a classic activity, emerging electricians test various objects for electrical conductivity in a circuit. Each group constructs a simple circuit by following a diagram. Predictions are made and objects are inserted into the circuit,...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
The Power of Graphene
To prepare for the activity, STEM classes read about nanotechnology and the amazing properties of graphene. They collect a graphene sample from pencils, and then connect them into simple circuits to determine whether it makes a better...
Curated OER
Insulators and Conductors
Fourth graders experiment to discover which items are conductors and which items are insulators. In this insulators and conductors lesson, 4th graders experiment and create a T-Chart. Students are assessed on the correctness of the...
Curated OER
Insulators and Conductors
Students conduct an experiment in which they create open and closed circuits. In this insulators and conductors lesson, students review open and closed circuits and then get in groups to make both kinds of circuit. Students use a...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Lab
Students investigate electricity. In this Physics instructional activity, students experiment with insulators and conductors of electricity. Students use batteries as the energy source for the experiment.
Curated OER
Liquid Conductors
Students identify liquids as conductors. In this circuits lesson, students build a circuit, then use various liquids to complete the circuit, and determine which liquids successfully conduct electricity.
Curated OER
Heat Conductors
Students explore heat conductors. In this lesson on heat, students examine how heat passes through different conductors and how different materials contain heat.
Curated OER
Solid Conductors
Students work in groups to create a solid conductor testing set up. They use a variety of solid materials and predict if each will serve as a conductor of electricity (allow electricity to pass through so the light bulb will light up)....
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics Pre-Lab
Students view a static electricity demonstration. For this Physics lesson, students compare static and current electricity. Students watch an electricity slide show and sing the Electricity song.
Curated OER
Applied Science -Physics (4A) Post Lab
Fourth graders explore the history of electricity. In this electricity lesson, 4th graders review the connection between electricity and magnetism. They do a research project on the history of electricity.
Purdue University
Design of a Door Alarm
How does electricity work? Budding scientists explore the concepts of electrical currents and open and closed circuits with class discussion and a hands-on activity using a battery to turn on a light bulb. Learners also make predictions...
Science Matters
Series Circuit and Switches
Lights out! Scholars build on their understanding of a simple circuit by adding a switch and creating schematic drawings. The eighth lesson in a series of 14 has pupils use everyday materials to create circuits and make observations as...
Sciencenter
Carrying Charges
What's all the buzz about electricity? Scholars take part in a scientific activity to test the conductivity of liquids and solutions. They first see if water, salad oil, alcohol, and vinegar cause a buzzer to buzz when electrodes are...
Curated OER
Go with the Flow
Students gain an understanding of the difference between electrical conductors and insulators, and experience recognizing a conductor by its material properties. They build a conductivity tester to determine whether different objects are...
Curated OER
Passing The Heat Along
Fifth graders consider conduction. In this science lesson plan, 5th graders explore how heat passes through conductors and examine materials that contain heat.
Curated OER
Electricity
Fourth graders experiment to find out how to light a bulb with simple materials. They make predictions if a light bulb set-up could work and gain knowledge to tell the difference between an open and closed circuit. They also figure out...
Curated OER
Three Little Pigs and Heat Transfer
Students use the Internet to research the ancient practices of building structures and to help them recognize what building materials serve as good conductors and insulators of heat. They build a structure using straw bale walls.
Curated OER
Forces in Action
Young scholars investigate questions centered around force and motion by going through the scientific process and creating fair tests and experimentation. In this lesson about forces-in-action, students diagram their findings and explore...
Curated OER
Plasma Globes and Electricity
Students examine the basic ideas of conductors and insulators. In this electricity lesson, students predict which items will work as insulators or conductors when contact is made with a lightning globe. The students evaluate what they...
Curated OER
Interactive Notes-"Electricity"
Students explore electricity. In this interactive electricity lesson plan, students create static electricity with balloons, observe the rate at which ice melts to identify conductors and insulators, and create a static charge. ...
Curated OER
Let's Get Connected!
A great lesson plan introduces your youngsters to electricity. They use internet links, streaming video, and engage in hands-on activities to understand what electricity is and how it works. They build a circuit board, and construct a...
Curated OER
How Hot Is It?
Discuss the difference between conduction, convection and radiation of thermal energy, and complete activities with your class by investigating the difference between temperature, thermal energy and the heat capacity of different materials.
Polar Trec
Staying Warm in Antarctica!
Has your class ever wondered how animals and scientists stay warm in the Polar Regions? Kids will investigate to understand the three types of heat transfer and how heat transfer affects those trying to stay toasty in sub-zero...