Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Power Transmission and Distribution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explain how power is transmitted over long distances. In this physics lesson, students simulate controlling power flow in parallel transmission lines. They discuss several applications of wireless power transmission.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Triboelectric Series

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on static electricity. In this physics lesson, students arrange explain how objects become electrically charges. They predict which objects will become charged when rubbed together based on the...
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Both Fields at Once?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
An MRI uses both a magnetic and electricity, so how do the two interact with each other? Class members observe the effects on a charged particle when it is subject to both an electrical and magnetic field. The teacher background...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galvanometers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars construct their own galvanometer. In this physics activity, students explain how it is used to detect electric current. They conduct an experiment to measure how much electricity flows through the circuit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Green Team

For Teachers 4th
Student explore the relationship of static electricity to current electricity, circuits, electromagnets, electro generators, and public electric utilities. In this Green Team lesson plan, 4th graders participate in hands-on science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Field Mapping in 3D

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students create a 3D vector field map of an electric field. In this physics lesson, students measure the voltage inside an aquarium with water. They present their findings and map to class..
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alessandro Volta: The Invention of the Voltaic Pile (The First Electric Battery)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on electricity. In this physics lesson, students study the work of Alessandro Volta particularly his experiment on the the Voltaic Pail. They build their own Voltaic Pile to recreate his experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rechargeable Batteries

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Van de Graaff Generator

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore static electricity using the Van de Graaff generator. For this physics lesson, students construct their own Van de Graaff using simple materials. They explain how charges accumulate on this device.
Lesson Plan
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Purdue University

Design of a Door Alarm

For Teachers 4th
How does electricity work? Budding scientists explore the concepts of electrical currents and open and closed circuits with class discussion and a hands-on activity using a battery to turn on a light bulb. Learners also make predictions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Focusing Event to Electricity

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explain how electrical charges behave. In this electricity lesson plan, students determine how far away lightning is when it strikes. They research how fabric softener reduces static electricity and share their findings in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Powerful is Static Electricity

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore energy by participating in controlled electricity experiment. In this static electricity lesson, students identify the different sources that can create energy and how static electricity can be created very easily on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is That Icebox Green?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders create a timeline of the development of electrical appliances. In this physics lesson, 7th graders explore energy consumption over the past 90 years. They create a poster about their chosen electrical device detailing its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is Electricity?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students investigate vocabulary words associated with electricity.  In this electrical lesson, students utilize the Internet to research what electricity is and how it works.  Students create an actual circuit in class using a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Field Mapping / Equipotential Lines

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students determine the equipotential lines surrounding a charged object. In this physics lesson, students draw lines to identify areas. They relate the spacing of the field lines to the strength of the charge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetic Field

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore how compass and Gauss meter detect a magnetic field. In this physics lesson, students build their own Gauss meter and sensor based on given procedure. They cite real world applications of magnetism.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Homopolar Motor Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct a homopolar motor following certain procedures. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how generators and motors work. They compare and contrast the characteristics of both.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Battery Charger

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how battery chargers work. In this physics activity, students discuss the two main ways that vehicles get charged. They build their own battery charger.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on electromagnets. In this physics lesson, students build their own electromagnet and explain how it works. They determine the factors that affect its strength.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invention of Faraday Cage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students demonstrate how Faraday's cage work by building their own electroscope. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how Faraday's cage work. They cite several applications of this principle in the real world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build Your Own Submarine

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct their own submarine following a certain procedure. In this physics lesson, students calculate the density of objects using a mathematical formula. They explain why some object floats in water while some do not.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Construction of an Ammeter and a Voltmeter from a Galvanometer

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils explore series and parallel circuits. In this physics lesson, students construct a simple circuit and measure its maximum current. They construct their own voltmeter and ammeter that operates at a specified range.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Battery

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders make a battery. In this physical science lesson, 5th graders word in pairs make the battery. Students follow 4 steps to create the battery.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making A Compass

For Teachers 4th
This interesting science lesson is about the compass. Students make a compass out of a magnet, sewing needle, cork, and a glass dish. The lesson includes both a pre and post-test for the students to take, and some very good links to...