Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Wire Maze
Students investigate what causes electrical circuits to work. They construct a wire circuit and pass a paperclip through the maze, trying not to touch the wire, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
Two Kinds of Circuits
Fourth graders examine parallel and series ciruits. They experiment what happens if a bulb is removed from both a parallel and series circuit. They understand the differences between parallel and series ciruits,
Curated OER
Electrostatics
Middle schoolers examine ways positive and negative charges are attracted and repelled by watching teacher demonstrations, and complete activity sheet related to classroom demonstration activities to prove proficiency of knowledge of...
Curated OER
Electric Circuits
Students model the flow of electrons in a circuit, draw diagrams of an electric circuit and build an electric circuit. Students explain how to tell when the path of an electric circuit is complete, and test the conductivity of a variety...
Curated OER
From Sunlight to Electric Current
Students explore concept of current in electrical circuits. They examine how energy from the sun can be used to power everyday items, including vehicles.
Teach Engineering
Pointing at Maximum Power for PV
Following detailed directions, teams collect the voltage and current outputs of a photovoltaic cell by adjusting the resistance. Using the collected data, they determine the highest power output. Implications for weather and a large...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Conductors and Insulators
Young scholars explore electrical terms and circuits. In this conductor lesson students divide into groups and complete a lab on electricity.
Curated OER
The Quest For Power
High schoolers investigate and apply properties of math. In this algebra and physics instructional activity, students define important vocabulary words to create a basic understanding of keywords. They perform experiments using concepts...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Using Transistors: Let's Get Transistorized!
Young scholars build two circuits and explore how transistors function. This activity allow them to observe the operation of a transistor as an amplifier.
Curated OER
On The Move
Fourth graders solve basic mathematical problems. They identify and apply key terms and equations relative to physical science. They discuss how train engines use fuel to move a generator, which creates electrical current that moves...
Curated OER
Semiconductors
Students investigate the properites of a semiconductor device known as a diode. They recognize a diode as a one way conducting device. They describe alternating current and the use of a diode to convert it to direct current. Students...
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Small Scale Sculpting: Etch Lab
Make works of art using a vintage yet effective etching strategy. The surface of a semiconductor chip has specific patterns formed through a process called etching. Through a lab investigation, young scholars recreate that process...
Curated OER
Transformers
Learners examine how a transformer works and its practical applications. In this electricity activity students complete several experiments using transformers and generators.
Curated OER
Making an Electromagnet
Students explore electromagnetic forces. In this electromagnetic lesson, students construct a working electromagnet and conduct a series of experiments to see what increases the strength of an electromagnet.
Curated OER
Sound and Hearing
Learners form an understanding that there are many different types of sound. The core concepts are presented in the most basic form for elementary school. Also students investigate how sound travels.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Built Environment Pre Lab (Morse Code)
Students study communication. In this telegraph lesson, students examine Morse code and the composition of an elementary telegraph circuit. They listen to a presentation and try to create Morse Code messages on a worksheet. This lesson...
Curated OER
TE Lesson: Navigating at the Speed of Satellites
Students study the basic concepts of the Global Positioning System and how it increases the accuracy of navigation. They examine trilateration and how the speed of light is used to calculate distances.
Curated OER
OHM's Law
Students study the relationship between current, voltage and resistance in a series circuit. In this investigative lesson students watch a demonstration and see how voltage is measured and see what OHM's law is.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Artificial Eye
Scientists in California developed a bionic eye that allows blind people to see edges of objects in black and white and costs $145,000. In the activity, groups of scholars discuss bioengineering, focusing on the human eye. They then...
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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.