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Weather Alert ActivityWeather Alert Activity
Publisher
Teach Engineering
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 8th
Subjects
Science
4 more...
Resource Types
Activities & Projects
2 more...
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 hr 30 mins
Instructional Strategy
Hands-on Activity
Year
2007
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Activity

Weather Alert

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Weather Alert activity also includes:
  • Weather Alert Activity - Lightning Detector Testing and Analysis Worksheet (PDF)
  • Weather Alert Activity - Lightning Detector Testing and Analysis Worksheet (DOC)
  • Vocabulary
  • Join to access all included materials

Every time a bell rings ... there is lightning in the area. The activity provides directions to build a model of a lightning detection system. Similar to a system designed by Benjamin Franklin, the system uses static electricity to trigger the response. After building and testing the device, the class designs a system that could be used to warn the local community of an approaching storm. 

40 Views 29 Downloads

Concepts

storms, thunderstorms, lightning, static electricity, benjamin franklin, electricity, design, engineering design, technology resources

Instructional Ideas

  • Have the class research Benjamin Franklin's lightning detection system
  • Determine what kind of modifications would allow your model to detect lightning

Classroom Considerations

  • You will need a number of materials for the activity such as aluminum cans, dowel rods, copper wire, aluminum foil, and jingle bells
  • The activity in a 12-part series

Pros

  • Pictures provide a reference of what the final design should look like
  • The resource provides assessments to conduct throughout the activity

Cons

  • None

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