Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Sliding Light: How to Make a Dimmer Switch With a Pencil

For Students 9th - 10th
In this electronics science fair project, students will make a simple dimmer switch and investigate the relationship between the resistance in the circuit and the amount of light produced. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up...
Handout
Florida State University

Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Magnetic Fields and Compass Orientation

For Students 9th - 10th
Simulate the creation of an induced magnetic field through the use of a simple electric circuit. An interactive demonstration is included.
Interactive
Physics Aviary

Physics Aviary: Rl in Ac Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
This lab was designed to help students understand the difference between circuits powered by DC and circuits powered by AC. Students can see that simple changes in frequency lead to changes in the potential difference across the...
Interactive
Physics Aviary

Physics Aviary: Rc in Ac Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
This lab was designed to help students understand the difference between circuits powered by DC and circuits powered by AC. Students can see that simple changes in frequency lead to changes in the potential difference across the...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Electrons on the Move

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn about current electricity and necessary conditions for the existence of an electric current. Students construct a simple electric circuit and a galvanic cell to help them understand voltage, current and resistance.
Interactive
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Transformers

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this interactive, simple transformer to make a complete circuit via induction using two separate coils with iron cores inside.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Bulbs & Batteries in a Row

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Everyday we are surrounded by circuits that use "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are composed of many simpler parallel and series circuits. During this activity, students build a simple...
Website
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Mobile Phone Absorption Wavemeter

For Students 9th - 10th
An absorption wavemeter is a device which can make measurements on the strength of radio emissions and so this instrument is an essential item for investigating the mobile phone. In principle an absorption meter is a simple device that...
Lesson Plan
SRI International

Performance Assessment Links in Science: Mystery Card 3

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Straightforward introduction to electrical circuits using minimal materials and time. Students learn about the basics of electrical circuits by experimenting with "mystery cards" -- index cards with hidden aluminum foil used to conduct...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: How Does a Robot Work?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
This lesson introduces electricity, batteries and motors using a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot. The associated activity guides students to build a simple LEGO NXT set-up and see the practical implementation of the concepts discussed. Before...
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: Resistors, Capacitors, and Inductors

For Students 1st - 6th
Electric circuits are used to provide a path to electric current. They commonly use three basic electrical components, which are resistors, capacitors, and insulators. They affect the electric current and changes the behavior of the...
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Ohm's Law

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For the teacher planning a lesson or for the student preparing for a project or presentation. This page describes a series of simple activities related to the voltage-current-resistance relationship.
Graphic
Hunkins Experiments

Hunkin's Experiments: How to Make Oxygen From a Battery

For Students 5th - 9th
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. This one...
Activity
Maryland Science Center

Maryland Science Center: Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 6th
Using your knowledge of electricity, learn how to make a 'magic' wand like Harry Potter's that will light up on your command.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Getting the Lightbulb to Light Up

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students construct a simple electrical circuit using wires, batteries, and a lightbulb. From constructing a circuit the students will discover that when energy is produced there is heat.
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
Concord Consortium

Mobile Inquiry Technology: Moving Magnets

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This investigation has students examining how electric and magnetic charges are related. They will look at how an electric current is affected by the proximity of a magnet.
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Led's

For Students 9th - 10th
There are so many different types of LEDs on the market (even of the same size and color), how do you tell the difference between them and which one you should use for your particular application? The simple tests descibed here compare...
Unit Plan
Channel 4 Learning

4 L: Science Essentials: Get Physical

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Find a review of many aspects of the physical world. Simple explanations of electricity, gravity, and the solar system. Included are materials for teachers to use for enrichment.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Algebra: Determining Asymptotes by Division

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Solve circuitry problems that involve rational functions.
eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Interactive Physics for High School

For Students 9th - 10th
This digital textbook covers core physics concepts and includes interactive features, real world examples, videos, and study guides.
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: Mini Light Beam Receiver

For Students 9th - 10th
A very simple device to convert light into sound can be made by wiring a solar cell directly to headphones (or an earpiece). The solar cell converts light into electricity and the headphones convert electricity into sound. The limitation...
Interactive
Walter Fendt

Walter Fendt: Apps Zur Physik

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, in German, offers numerous apps that illustrate common physics principles. Apps are organized into categories: mechanics, oscillations and waves, electrodynamics, optics, thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, physics of...
Unit Plan
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Induced Current

For Students 9th - 10th
A current can be induced in a conducting loop if it is exposed to a changing magnetic field. (Java tutorial)