Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Physics of Toys

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore physics by experimenting with classic toys. In this physical science lesson, students utilize gliders, energy balls, bouncing balls, marbles and other toys to explore how they work. Students explore each toy at a work...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Efficiency Ambassadors

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and compare two products that provide the same function but require different amounts of energy to do the job. They examine and demonstrate energy efficiency and discover how it applies to different technologies and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science Experiments

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders work together in groups to design and complete one science experiment of their choice. Following the experimental steps, they show their experiment and the results to the class in the form of a PowerPoint. They explain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Hot Is It?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders use paper cups, black and white lining, thermometers and plastic wrap to conduct an experiment that measures the energy-collecting capacity of various colors. They graph the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life with Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners identify forms of energy and the advantages/disadvantages of different forms of energy. They describe ways in which technology affects the environment both good and bad. Finally, benefits are determines as well as the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Grade 6 Science Quiz

For Students 6th
In this grade 6 science quiz, 6th graders complete a 15 question multiple choice quiz covering a variety of grade 6 concepts. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making A Compass

For Teachers 4th
This interesting science instructional activity is about the compass. Students make a compass out of a magnet, sewing needle, cork, and a glass dish. The instructional activity includes both a pre and post-test for the students to take,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Energy "trails"

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore ten different stations that demonstrate either chemical, kinetic, or mechanical energy. They examine the way energy is transferred during each station's hands-on activity. Stations include vinegar and baking soda,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Matters

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students design an energy resource wheel and demonstrate how to use it to access information about renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

OHM's Law

For Teachers 7th - 12th
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.   
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Green Are We?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners identify and interpret the importance of energy efficiency in connection with air pollution. They communicate with families and peers about ways to more effectively contribute to the reduction of air pollution. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Circuits

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars investigate how series and parallel circuits work. In this physics lesson, students build their own simple circuits and compare their characteristics. They explain the importance of circuit breakers in household circuits.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Transfer

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the properties of heated air. They make predictions about what they think makes the wind blow on a worksheet, and conduct two experiments to demonstrate the properties of heated air. Students heat a bottle until a...
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Make a Light Bulb

For Students 9th - 10th
This lab shows students how to make a light bulb using 6V battery, wire, cork, and a nail. Print a form where you can record your results.
Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Thomas Edison's Patent Application for the Light Bulb

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource includes a copy of the original diagram and application that Thomas Edison submitted for the electric light bulb. Along with the interactive pictures you can access a typed transcript, larger images, a downloadable .PDF...
Lesson Plan
Climate Literacy

Clean: Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Cost Benefit Analysis

For Teachers 5th - 9th
This analysis activity allows learners to calculate electrical usage in home lighting, and create a cost-benefit analysis for cost and energy savings by replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: How Do Light Bulbs Work?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A guided inquiry that involves observation of the parts of a light bulb in a lab.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Electricity & Energy the Light Bulb

For Teachers 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the invention and use of the light bulb. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Why Placing Wires Correctly on a Light Bulb Is Important

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students will learn about simple electric circuits as they investigate the structure of a light bulb and how electricity flows through it.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Can a Lemon Power a Light Bulb

For Teachers 9th - 10th
You will learn about a voltaic battery and to see if it's powerful enough to light up a light bulb
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Put a Spark in It! Electricity

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Uncountable times every day "with the merest flick of a finger"each one of us calls on electricity to do our bidding. What would your life be like without electricity? Students begin learning about electricity with an introduction to the...
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Simple High Temperature Light Bulb Thermometer

For Students 9th - 10th
A very simple electrical resistance thermometer is described that can be built, calibrated and tested in a school laboratory at virtually no cost. With it, flames, focused sunlight and other high temperature sources can be probed. The...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Measuring Light Intensity Using the Inverse Square Law

For Students 9th - 10th
You've probably heard that compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. More of the electricity they use goes into producing light, and less into producing heat than with incandescent bulbs. How much more...
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Lighting a Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
This website is part of a bigger exhibit exploring the history of invention. This looks at Edison's invention of the light bulb and many other electrical inventions from the following century.