Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Electric Switches
Students examine how electric circuits are controlled with a switch. They incorporate a switch into a battery/bulb circuit. They design and create their own switches using everyday materials.
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Simply Circuitry and Series Circuit
Students investigate a series circuit. In this physical science instructional activity, students use a battery, switch, and light bulbs to build an electrical circuit. Students identify the standard symbols being used in electric circuitry.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Two Button Buzzer Circuit
Learners explore circuit structure, draw a schematic for it, and construct a two button buzzer model out of wires, a battery, buttons (switches), and a buzzer.
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Galvanometers
Learners construct their own galvanometer. In this physics lesson, students explain how it is used to detect electric current. They conduct an experiment to measure how much electricity flows through the circuit.
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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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Resistor and Resistance
Students explore electrical resistance through various experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate resistance using a mathematical formula. They explain how colors identify the resistance value of a resistor.
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Lemon Battery
Students construct their own battery made of lemons. In this electrochemistry lesson, students explain why lemons conduct electricity. They perform a series of experiments to investigate its conductivity.
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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...
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Circuit City
Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of circuits and how electricity works. In groups, they design their own subdivision with houses in which they have inside and outside light sources. To end the activity, they make the...
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Exploring Electricity: Light Sculptures
Students study electricity by making their own light sculptures. In this light sculptures lesson, students review electrical loops and circuitry components. Students then plan, create, and refine light sculptures.
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Stepper Motor
Students compare a stepper motor from a traditional motor. In this physics instructional activity, students summarize how it works. They build their own stepper motor and explore its uses.
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The Shocking Truth About Fruit
Looking for a great lesson on circuits and conductors of electricity? Take a look at this one! In it, 6th graders create circuits out of pennies, washers, alligator clips, fruit, and LED’s. Learners use voltmeters to analyze the circuits...
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Homopolar Motor Experiments
Students construct a homopolar motor following certain procedures. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how generators and motors work. They compare and contrast the characteristics of both.
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Electromagnets
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnets. For this physics lesson, students build their own electromagnet and explain how it works. They determine the factors that affect its strength.
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Electromagnetic Bomb (E-Bomb)
Students explain how E-bomb works. In this physics lesson, students simulate the effects of e-bombs on electronic targets. They discuss its potential harmful effects when used as a weapon.
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Cutting Corners - Parts 1 and 2
Students use optimization concepts to design their own container. In this optimization lesson plan, students understand how the optimization concept is critical in calculus and why products are packaged the way they are.