Emerging electricians extend mental models of light bulbs and resistors in series and or in parallel circuits to include the connection of photovoltaic cells in arrays. They investigate open circuits, using a DC voltmeter, a light...

Why does it get so hot inside of our cars in the summertime? The greenhouse effect! Lab groups experiment to see what happens to an ice cube enclosed in a jar and placed in sunlight as compared to an ice cube outside of the jar. They...

Never underestimate potential—electric or your own. Scholars apply a color scheme based on the changes in electric potential as part of a series on electric circuits. They consider splitting wires, light bulb placement, and voltage as...

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)....

Fifth graders explore electricity. In this electricity lesson, 5th graders experiment with open and closed circuits. Students determine how to properly connect a battery and bulb to illuminate the bulb.

In this circuits worksheet, students follow directions on how to make a light bulb light and answer questions about it. Students answer 1 question about an insulator and 1 about a conductor.

Students study the history of electricity and the different ways we generate electricity.  In this electricity lesson students complete several experiments on generating power.

By mounting a light bulb on a stand and a PV cell on another, physics apprentices experiment with the angle of incidence. Their goal is to determine the optimum angle for collecting solar energy. The use of a scientific calculator...

Light up the solutions. By following a set of directions, pupils build a circuit board with six different circuits. Learners use the circuit board to create a matching activity by connecting the questions to the correct answers via a...

Learners differentiate between current and static electricity, conductors and insulators, explain how energy is converted from chemical to electrical, measure voltage of batteries, collect data on voltage, and predict voltage of...

A solar cell is similar to a rechargeable battery in many ways. Science lab groups connect each in a series circuit to run a mini motor and then compare and contrast them by answering questions and completing a Venn diagram. This is an...

Could a flux capacitor really work? An engaging simulation encourages scholars to investigate Faraday's law. They experiment with various speeds, magnitude, voltage, and different-sized coils. Hopefully experimenters will be able to...

Students explore electricity.  In this interactive electricity lesson, students create static electricity with balloons, observe the rate at which ice melts to identify conductors and insulators, and create a static charge. ...

For this lightning rod worksheet, students make a lightning rod out of batteries, breadboard, light bulbs, wires, and more. Students also answer 2 questions.

In this signaling instructional activity, learners follow directions to make a circuit involving batteries, light bulbs, wires and more. Students then try to make morse code signals with their circuit.

In this circuit learning exercise, students build a circuit simulating a simple computer using light bulbs, breadboards, push pins and more. Students then complete a chart and answer 1 question.

In this electricity and energy worksheet, students fill in a crossword puzzle as they figure out the answers to 11 clues involving science terminology.

Students determine how electricity is useful but also can be dangerous. They observe a teacher demonstration of the hazards associated with touching wires using a puppet, batteries, wire, and a light bulb. They devise a list of...

In this scientific investigation worksheet, students follow the provided procedures to examine the safety of electricity and then respond to 3 short answer questions.

In this second of three lessons on power plants, future engineers find out how we generate electricity and how coal-powered plants operate. They work in small groups to make electromagnet generators to light LED bulbs. A set of...

There are so many topics touched upon in this Jeopardy-style science game, that it is difficult to classify! The categories include electricity, matter, ecology, earth and space, and scientific investigation. This would best be used at...

Fifth graders are introduced to the concept of electric currents. In groups, they develop their own game board to test different circuits to determine if they are complete. They record their observations of the energy transfer between...

Fifth graders build a simple circuit which transmits Morse code using a battery, bulb, wire, switch, and tape. They analyze problems that arise while transmitting their messages to each other.

In this circuits worksheet, students read how electricity flows through circuits and learn how to draw a circuit diagram. Students then complete 16 matching, 2 multiple choice, 14 fill in the blank, and 3 short answer questions.