Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring Light Intensity Using the Inverse Square Law
You've probably heard that compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. More of the electricity they use goes into producing light, and less into producing heat than with incandescent bulbs. How much more...
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.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Lighting a Revolution
This website is part of a bigger exhibit exploring the history of invention. This looks at Edison's invention of the light bulb and many other electrical inventions from the following century.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit (Dc Only), Virtual Lab
Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches and take measurements with laboratory equipment like the realistic ammeter and voltmeter.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ohm's Law I
Students will work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing batteries in series and parallel circuits. It analyzes Ohm's Law, power, parallel and series circuits, and ways to measure voltage and current.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Electricity
For this interactive activity, students will explore electricity and be able to design and create a complete electrical circuit. Students will also learn what is necessary to light a light bulb. Creative thought, ideas, and,...
The Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute: Edison's Lightbulb: History of Science and Technology
The Franklin Institute features a biography of Thomas Edison and a complete description of the light bulb as well as an experiment.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Introduction to Open and Closed Electrical Circuits
This activity introduces students to the concepts of electrical current and open and closed circuits. Students will act out open and closed circuits as a whole class with some students acting as the "motors" or "light bulbs."
Read Works
Read Works: Edison Tried and Tried Again
[Free Registration/Login Required] This biographical passage shares information about Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and strategies and...
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Flashing Neon Light
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about how capacitors are used in circuits to create transient events such as the flash of a light bulb using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also available....
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Electric Circuits: Circuit Builder
Students manipulate this virtual electronic circuit board where they can add resistors, light bulbs, wires, and ammeters to build a circuit, explore Ohm's law, and compare and contrast series, parallel, and combination circuits. Three...
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Series and Parallel Circuits
The core of this lesson plan is simple circuits and the differences between parallel and series circuit design. Students perform experiments to test the differences between the two circuit designs using low voltage light bulbs.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison's Inventive Life
This site is a complete resource for learning about Edison's life, his inventions, and electricity. If you like experimenting, there are instructions included for how to make your own light bulb. Good photos.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Thomas Edison National Historical Park: Edison Biography
Here is a very detailed biography of Thomas Edison ranging from his boyhood and his work as a telegrapher, moving on to his invention of the phonograph and incandescent light bulb, and finally, a description of his laboratories where he...
Read Works
Read Works: Famous Inventors Thomas Edison
[Free Registration/Login Required] This short biographical piece shares information about Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, light bulb, motion picture camera, and more. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Potato Power
Students use potatoes to light an LED clock (or light bulb) as they learn how a battery works in a simple circuit and how chemical energy changes to electrical energy. As they learn more about electrical energy, they better understand...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Circuit Construction Kit
Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take measurements with the realistic ammeter and voltmeter. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a life-like view.
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.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Electricity: Building Circuits in Elementary Science Class
In this exploration activity, students compare the difference between series circuits and parallel circuits using wire, light bulbs, and D batteries.
Other
California Science Center: Lemon Light
Try out this great electricity activity by using lemons to make a light bulb glow. You can learn about the science behind the activity and watch an animated demonstration.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ohm's Law 2
This extension to the Ohm's Law I activity, students will observe just how much time it takes to use up the "juice" in a battery, and if it is better to use batteries in series or parallel.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Thomas Edison
This resource provides lesson plans and information about Thomas Edison and his inventions.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Inventors
This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...