Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Sliding Light: How to Make a Dimmer Switch With a Pencil
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...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit (Ac+dc), Virtual Lab
With this interactive students will build circuits with capacitors, inductors, resistors and AC or DC voltage sources, and inspect them using lab instruments such as voltmeters and ammeters. Students will observe and discuss electricity...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Resistance in a Wire
An interactive simulation that teaches about resistivity, resistance, and circuits by observing how changes in resistivity, length, and area affect resistance in a wire. This simulation can either be downloaded or played online and...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Which Materials Are the Best Conductors?
There are two main types of materials when it comes to electricity, conductors, and insulators. What are they made of? Find out by testing different materials in a circuit to see which ones conduct the most electricity.
Other
Institute of Physics: Practical Physics
Access hundreds of teacher-tested, practical physics lessons on this well-organized, illustrated site. Find just the right demonstration, attention-grabber, or lab for any physics teaching objective at your fingertips.
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Canada Science and Technology Museum: Background Information for Electricity
The Canada Science and Technology Museum answers some of the most common questions about electricity. For example, get the definition of electricity, the difference between alternating and direct currents, and learn how a fuse works.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Power of Food
Students imagine they are stranded on an island and must create the brightest light possible with the meager supplies they have on hand in order to gain the attention of a rescue airplane.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Saltwater Circuit
Students build a saltwater circuit, which is an electrical circuit that uses saltwater as part of the circuit. Students investigate the conductivity of saltwater, and develop an understanding of how the amount of salt in a solution...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Two Cell Battery
In this hands-on activity, students build their own two-cell battery. They also determine which electrolyte solution is best suited for making a battery.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Switcheroo
In this hands-on activity, students construct a simple switch and determine what objects and what types of materials can be used to close a switch in a circuit and light a light bulb.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Light Your Way
When there is a power failure, or when we go outside at night, we grab a flashlight so we can find our way. What happens inside a flashlight that makes the bulb light up? Why do we need a switch to turn on a flashlight? Have you ever...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Bulbs & Batteries Side by Side
We are surrounded everyday by circuits that utilize "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are made of many simpler parallel and series circuits. In this hands-on activity, students build...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Conductivity
Students make a simple conductivity tester using a battery and light bulb. They learn the difference between conductors and insulators of electrical energy as they test a variety of materials for their ability to conduct electricity.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Designing a Thermostat
Students investigate circuits and their components by building a basic thermostat. They learn why key parts are necessary for the circuit to function, and alter the circuit to optimize the thermostat temperature range. They also gain an...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Traffic Lights
Students learn about traffic lights and their importance in maintaining public safety and order. Using a Parallax Basic Stamp 2 microcontroller, students work in teams on the engineering challenge to build a traffic light with a specific...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Fun With Air Powered Pneumatics
Working as engineering teams in this introductory pneumatics lab, students design and build working pneumatic (air-powered) systems. The goal is to create systems that launch balls into the air. They record and analyze data from their...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Can You Resist This?
This lab demonstrates Ohm's law as students set up simple circuits each composed of a battery, lamp and resistor. Students calculate the current flowing through the circuits they create by solving linear equations. After solving for the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Electrifying the World
This lesson introduces students to the fundamental concepts of electricity. This is accomplished by addressing questions such as "How is electricity generated," and "How is it used in every-day life?" The lesson also includes...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How a Hybrid Works
In Lesson 4, students conclude the Research and Revise step of the Legacy Cycle, as they investigate different forms of hybrid engines as well as briefly conclude a look at the different forms of potential energy. Students apply basic...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Electrifying Energy
This tutorial reviews over electrical energy.
City College of New York
City Technology: Introduction to Enerjeeps
A unit providing opportunity for students to explore circuits and switches through homemade battery powered cars.
Utah State Office of Education
Utah Science: The Mysterious Force
There is a secret mysterious force in your home right this very moment! Try these activities to first identify that force and then extend your knowledge of the force by investigating the other activities provided.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Current Electricity
Four complete lessons on current electricity in the study of physics. Lessons include informational text, interactive activities, animations, and quick, interactive comprehension checks.
Nobel Media AB
The Nobel Prize: The History of the Integrated Circuit
A detailed, in-depth history of the Integrated Circuit is provided at this site. The information is complete with biographical information, general history, series of steps, pictures, and additional links.