TE Activity: Build a Charge Detector

Begin with the classic static electricity demonstrations: the behavior of charged balloons and metal leaves of an electroscope. Then move on to test the electrical conductivity of various materials. Give physics pupils a charge with...

Working with static electricity is sure to give the class a charge! Budding scientists experiment with balloons and different materials to discover how to create static electricity. They learn about the transfer of electrons and the...

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...

What a wonderful way to explore motion and forces! Learners design a catapult, after watching a video and discussing types of catapults. This is a comprehensive and complete lesson with links to supplementary resources.

Have your young scientists create electroscopes and conduct an experiment using various types of materials (some conductors, some insulators). What happens to the electroscope when each object is passed through its plastic pieces?

Slide paper over a plastic straws to generate static electricity, and then stick that straw to glass, a wall, or even your own hands! This is a science activity that students can use to show parents what they learn in school whenever...

Learn about cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.

In this video segment adapted from ZOOM, cast members show you how to make your very own electroscope. You can use it to find out if an object is electrically charged. [4:17]

Discovery Education has provided a series of quick quizzes on several topics. Here is one on static electricity. Young scientists match eight terms to their definitions. You can view the solution right from the page, so if you want to...

How do you help your pupils understand the relationship between energy and forces? The video tackles standard PS3C using a concept map and demonstrations. The narrator also provides key vocabulary scholars should master at each grade level.