Curated OER
Electric Current: The Light Output from a Light Bulb
Students investigate the energy used by a light bulb. In this electrical energy lesson, students conduct an investigation to explain the relationship between the output of light and the electrical power used by a light bulb.
Curated OER
Junior Solar Sprint Series: Electrical Power
Through scientific inquiry, middle schoolers discover how to arrange solar cells in order to produce electricity. This activity is intended to prepare learners to be able to design and construct solar cars. As with other resources...
PBS
Light Bulb Challenge
Efficiency equals money where homes are concerned. A comparative lesson asks learners to measure heat output of incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs. They follow their investigation with calculating the cost of using the two...
WindWise Education
How Can I Design Better Blades?
Small groups use information they have learned about blade construction to design, build, and test their own concepts. The teams compete in order to determine which design has the best average power output.
Curated OER
Experiments with Photovoltaic Cells
High schoolers explain how sunlight is converted to electricity. In this series of physics lesson, students study how varying the characteristics of the light source affect photovoltaic cells. They research their different uses in other...
Curated OER
Exercise and Nutrition
Students maximize their exercise output by making healthy decisions concerning food. For this exercise and nutrition lesson, students identify types of food needed to give the body the highest energy output.
Curated OER
A Cut Above the Rest Administration Procedures
Students analyze how the Law of Conservation of Energy applies to the design and use of scissors. Working in groups, they determine the output work for a standard pair of scissors.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #7 Positioning Solar Panels I: Explorations with Tracking
Learners track and record data on the Sun's position in the sky and on the output of a solar panel tracking the Sun. On a second day, students graph and analyze the data to identify relationships between (1) the time of day, (2) the...
Curated OER
How Much Energy is a Kilowatt Hour?
Young scholars study the conservation of energy. In this energy activity students explain the differences between potential and kinetic energy.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #11 Power Maximum: An Electrical Determination
Students identify and implement methods to standardize testing stations that measure solar panel output power. After collecting electrical ouptut data from several solar panels, they plot the current-voltage and power curves. Students...
Curated OER
Work
In this work learning exercise, high schoolers review the equation for work, potential and kinetic energy, and the Law of Conservation of Energy. This learning exercise has 22 fill in the blank and 7 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Who Turned on the Lights?
Seventh graders discuss how energy is transformed from one form to another. In this physics lesson, 7th graders design and build their own hydro generator. They identify the factors that affect its energy production.
Curated OER
Heat Unit
Students define thermal equilibrium. They distinguish between internal energy and heat. Students describe how the quantity of heat that enters or leaves a substance is measured.
Curated OER
Waves : An Alternative Energy Source
Young scholars evaluate the feasibility of wave energy as an alternative source of energy. In this alternative energy source lesson students are introduced to renewable and nonrenewable energy and study energy production.
Carnegie Mellon University
Consumer Preferences in Lighting
What is a watt? This tongue-twisting, mind-bending question and others are answered through this instructional activity on the different lighting options available. With the support of a PowerPoint, teach your physical science class...
Exploratorium
Vocal Visualizer
Make sound visible with an activity that provides directions for how to build a vocal visualizer meant to create light patterns. Making noise into the visualizer causes a mirror to vibrate, reflecting a laser beam, and creating the...
Curated OER
Levers, Pulleys, Incline Planes
For this pulleys, levers and incline planes worksheet, students answer 22 questions about output force, energy loss, and net force on pulleys, levers and incline planes.
Curated OER
Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
The Green Education Foundation found that this lesson plan, written by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, is right up their alley when it comes to teaching sustainability. It is ideal as a first lesson plan on photovoltaic...
Curated OER
A Shocking Experience
Learners differentiate between current and static electricity, conductors and insulators, explain how energy is converted from chemical to electrical, measure voltage of batteries, collect data on voltage, and predict voltage of...
Curated OER
What Are My Daily Calorie Needs?
Students explore what their personal nutritional requirements are. In this exploratory lesson students calculate their total daily energy needs and energy outputs and study how age is related to changing this.
Curated OER
Building Polymer Cup Speakers
Learners investigate sound waves and they build audio speakers. In this audio speakers and sound instructional activity, students explore how to make quality audio speakers. As a team they build their own speakers to have clarity in...
Curated OER
Rechargeable Batteries
Students explore how rechargeable batteries work by conducting a series of experiments. In this physics activity, students discuss the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. They build their own battery charger...
Curated OER
Calorie Countdown
Fifth graders analyze their caloric intake and energy output. In this nutrition and health lesson, 5th graders use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to evaluate their personal food intake and activity level. Students explore the...
Curated OER
What Goes in Must Come Out
Learners monitor their calorie intake and energy expenditure. They keep track of daily data in a journal and assess and adjust their diets as appropriate.