Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The BristleBot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here you will find detailed instructions for constructing BristleBots, simple robots run by miniscule vibration motors. There is no lesson plan, just a procedure for producing these fun little contraptions. They could be used as an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Energy From Water

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study water and its energy. For this water energy lesson, students discuss hydroelectricity and make models of water turbines.
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Renewables Workshop

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Youngsters examine resource maps to find out which states are using solar and wind power and discuss as a class various other renewable energy sources. They use a provided data table to record pros and cons to each technology, build and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrical Engineers for a Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers build a robot out of a 3-¿¿ inch floppy disk drive, two floppy disks, and some other miscellaneous supplies. They apply information they gather about electrical circuits from a web-based circuit design program.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reliability Check of Power Grid

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete a simulation on power grid reliability check. In this physics lesson plan, students discuss the consequences of power grid failures. They complete a simulation worksheet.
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 lesson, students explain how Faraday's cage work. They cite several applications of this principle in the real world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let There Be Light

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore electricity. In this electricity instructional activity, 5th graders experiment with open and closed circuits. Students determine how to properly connect a battery and bulb to illuminate the bulb.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parallel Circuits

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students investigate the way an electrical circuit works. In this physics lesson, students use voltmeters and ammeters to measure voltage. They construct a circuit using provided circuit kits.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unknown Element Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students work with a partner to determine the identity of an unknown element based on given descriptions. Groups use classroom textbooks, encyclopedias, and science internet sites to identify their unknown element then write a report as...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Design Project: Voltmeter

For Students 11th - Higher Ed
In this physics instructional activity, students design and build a multi-range voltmeter. They answer 3 short answer problems about the device.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

For Students 7th - 8th
In this elements, compounds, and mixtures worksheet, students answer questions about the properties of elements, mixtures, and compounds. Students identify the physical changes that is made to a substance to determine if it is an element.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #13 Solarize a Toy

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students work in teams they select a low-power toy, game, or electrical deive to "solarize," or convert to solar power. They determine the operating voltage of their chosen device and design a solar array to provide this level of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Energy Connection

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students conduct solar experiments. They calculate the solar gain and operate a solar cell devise used to generate electricity. Students compare and contrast solar energy gain with students in India. They analyze the difference...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Corrosion to Corals

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study galvanic exchange and how it produces electric currents.  In this ocean lesson students predict what metals deteriorate in salt water. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will the Lights Go Out?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners diagram nuclear power plant, describe process for generating electrical power, discuss nuclear disasters in the 20th century, and draw conclusion about value of nuclear power for the future.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parts of a Solar Panel-Part I

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine electrical contacts, solar cells, and rechargeable batteries and compare and contrast the characteristics of a solar cell to a rechargeable battery in a hands-on activity. Students complete a worksheet as they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thar She Blows!: Wind Power

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners examine how wind energy is transformed into electrical energy. In pairs, they build miniature wind turbines and measure how much electrical current they produce. They asses the importance of design and position in energy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Lesson: Renewable Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine renewable energy sources such as solar, water, and wind. They experiment to determine how renewable energy is transformed into electricity. They investigate the role of engineers who work in the field of renewable energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rising Water!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students observe water change from a liquid to a gas state when heated and then return to its liquid stage when cooled. They learn that gas molecules move faster than liquid molecules. They discover physical properties that describe how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetorheological Fluids

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on magnetorheological fluids. In this physics lesson, students explain how these fluids behave in varying magnetic field strength. They give practical applications of magnetorheological fluids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Construction of an Ammeter and a Voltmeter from a Galvanometer

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore series and parallel circuits. In this physics instructional activity, 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

Powered Up About Electricity!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study the process of turning coal into electricity. In this electricity lesson, students are guided by their teacher through the steps required to turn coal into electricity. Students complete a worksheet answering questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science and Technology

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the roles of science and technology in today's world. They research a topic based on the uses of science in society. Students discuss medicine, power, transportation, water and sewage treatment and stereos, TVs....
Lesson Plan
Ohio State University

Exploration Activities with Electrostatic Interactions

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Step out of the 21st century and discover protons and electrons through observation. Using common materials, participants continually adjust their explanation of charges. The final assessment requires pupils to design their own...