Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
College-level physics course highlighting electromagnetism. This course also includes a wide variety of other physics topics including lightning, electrocardiograms, metal detectors, and atom smashers, to name a few. Course includes a...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Static Electricity: Creating Lightning on Much Smaller Scale
In this elementary science activity, students will experiment with static electricity using balloons. After investigating how balloons attract and repel various objects, students will watch a simulation of static electricity to help gain...
Other
Kidstorm: Lightning
Learn about lightning formation and lightning safety with this detailed webpage.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Lightning Rod
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about charge, electric field, and electric potential in the context of a lightning strike using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet is also available. Includes video tutorial. [3:49]
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Looking at Lightning
An introduction to the science behind lightning, its causes, and effects. If you follow links, there are also pages on the medical risks associated with getting struck by lightning.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Nova Science Now Lightning: Lightning Varieties
Compare and contrast different types of lightning bolts. A substantial amount of information is provided here including pictures with descriptions for each type of lightning bolt. NOTE: The interactive is no longer available; Click on...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Lightning
In this interactive tutorial students will explore what is the cause and mechanism associated with lightning strikes, They will investiage how lightning rods serve to protect buildings from the devastating effects of a lightning strikes....
E-learning for Kids
E Learning for Kids: Science: Vikings: What Is an Electric Circuit?
The god of thunder, Thor, controls thunder and lightning. Let's ask Thor about electric circuits.
Other
First Energy: The Electric Avenue: Energy Fun Factory
Here, students can learn all about energy sources and electricity. Activities include games and calculating energy costs in their homes.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Static Electricity Thunder and Lightning
An activity where students simulate the creation of thunder and lightning using simple materials, and learn how static electricity can produce sound.
Other
Fayette County Schools: Frankenstein & Electric Safety
Site contains a science-based literacy activity that explains how to use electricity in a safe manner. A worksheet is provided.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Franklin's Electricity
Some research puts Franklin's electrical work in the scientific and political context of his day. An interesting point of view, one not usually found in comments of Franklin and electrostatics. Done by a professor from University of...
Curated OER
Snaith Primary School: Settings: Lightning Storm
A color photograph by Tony Newlin of lightning streaking from the sky to the ground, trees, and houses below.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Electrified Ben
This site from the Franklin Institute Online provides a somewhat simplistic but interesting tale of Ben's electrical activities. Fine link to "electricity bells", in Franklin's own words. Some other links to projects, maybe not so...
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Fork Lightning
A beautiful display of fork lightning can be see in this photo. The intense electricity goes off in many directions as it gets closer to the ground.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Volcano Lightning
This incredible photo shows the rare occurence of lightning that forms from the generation of electrical charges inside the ash plumes of an erupting volcano.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium Where Does the Energy of a Spark Come From?
Activity 3 investigates Why is lightning so much bigger that a spark from the Van de Graff generator? In Activity 3 of this module, students investigate factors that affect the amount of potential energy that is stored.
Other
K 3 Learning Pages: Web Resources Thunderstorms
Check out this comprehensive list of web resources on thunderstorms and safety. Students and teachers will benefit from the links found on this site.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma?
Have you ever seen static electricity cause a spark of light? What is that spark? What about lightning, the Northern Lights, or the tail of a comet? All of those things and many others in fact, 99.9% of the universe -- are made of...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist,...