Curated OER
The Invention of the Telegraph
Students study the history of telegraph invention. In this technology activity, students build their own Morse Telegraph System. They discuss how this invention benefits the society.
Curated OER
Voltmeter Design
In this voltmeter worksheet, students design and mathematically analyze a circuit they design. They also answer 17 questions about voltmeters, the voltage in given schematics, and the resistance in voltmeters.
Curated OER
Swamp Thing
Learners create a build-it-yourself boat that runs on two small electric motors. Swamp Thing has an electronic brain that can be controlled and steered with a flashlight.
Curated OER
Homopolar Motor Experiments
Students construct a homopolar motor following certain procedures. In this physics lesson, students explain how generators and motors work. They compare and contrast the characteristics of both.
Curated OER
Making a Battery
Fifth graders make a battery. In this physical science lesson plan, 5th graders word in pairs make the battery. Students follow 4 steps to create the battery.
Curated OER
Lightning Rod
In this lightning rod worksheet, students make a lightning rod out of batteries, breadboard, light bulbs, wires, and more. Students also answer 2 questions.
Cornell University
Making a Battery
Don't be shocked when your class has a blast making their own batteries! Science scholars examine a dry cell battery, then design and construct a wet cell battery. The activity guides them through the parts of a battery, the variables...
Curated OER
On The Light Side
Kindergartners identify different sources of light in a science activity. They view pictures of a flashlight, a match, and a lamp, among others, and color the part of the picture that creates light. A science activity prompts them to...
Curated OER
Map Your School
Learners participate in a project to map their school. They measure and graph various areas around the school. Students find the longitude and latitude of the school and research the school's history, and highlight special important areas.
Curated OER
Topo Map Mania!
Seventh graders describe the major features of maps and compasses. They read a topographical map. They take a bearing using a compass. They practice using scales on a map.
Curated OER
TE Activity: The Trouble with Topos
Students study the uses of topographical maps including the many forms that they take. They discover that the map features show its intended use such as city maps, wilderness maps, and state maps. They complete a worksheet in which they...
Curated OER
Design Project: Audio Power Amplifier
In this audio power amplifier worksheet, learners answer five questions about class A amplifiers, sound pressure, crossover distortion, and amplifier design.
Curated OER
Batteries
In this battery worksheet, learners answer 14 questions about primary cell batteries, secondary cell batteries, and how batteries are charged. They calculate the rates of discharge for given batteries.
Curated OER
Making A Compass
This interesting science lesson is about the compass. Students make a compass out of a magnet, sewing needle, cork, and a glass dish. The lesson includes both a pre and post-test for the students to take, and some very good links to...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Electric Circuits: Circuit Builder
Students manipulate this virtual electronic circuit board where they can add resistors, light bulbs, wires, and ammeters to build a circuit, explore Ohm's law, and compare and contrast series, parallel, and combination circuits. Three...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Common Misconceptions Regarding Electric Circuits
In this tutorial, preconceived ideas regarding the nature of charge flow and the role of a battery in a circuit are addressed. In many instances, these preconceived notions about charge flow and batteries are incorrect ideas and are...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Current Electricity: Combination Circuits
Explains what a combination circuit is, reviews the features of series and parallel circuits, and demonstrates how to analyze combination circuits. Includes detailed examples and some problems for students to try. There is also a link to...
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Make a Circuit Board
Step-by-step illustrated instructions showing how to build a circuit board using everyday materials.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lighting the Way: Electrical Circuits and Lamp Wiring
Through a series of self-guided activities, students will explore basic electrical circuits and then build a working model of a circuit through the process of wiring a lamp. They will understand the flow of electrons through a circuit,...
National Geographic
National Geographic: Building Circuits
In this lesson, students build series and parallel circuits and test their conductivity. Includes handouts with diagrams, and a vocabulary list with definitions.
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Electric Switches
Lesson focuses on how switches control the flow of electricity. Young scholars are posed with the challenge of designing and building a simple switch into an electric circuit.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigate Electric Circuits Through Construction and Illustration
In this physics lesson 4th grade students investigate electrical circuits in greater depth than the FOSS unit used in a prior grade in school. Students become familiar with a computer simulation allowing them greater choices of materials...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Saltwater Circuit
Students build a saltwater circuit, which is an electrical circuit that uses saltwater as part of the circuit. Students investigate the conductivity of saltwater, and develop an understanding of how the amount of salt in a solution...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit
Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take measurements with the realistic ammeter and voltmeter. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a life-like view.