Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Hydrophobic Surfaces—Deposition and Analysis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Couches, carpets, and even computer keyboards now advertise they are spill-resistant, but what does that mean? Scholars use physical and chemical methods to coat surfaces with thin films to test their hydrophobic properties. Then they...
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History of the Battery

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students study the development of batteries. In this electrochemistry instructional activity, students compare the different types of batteries. They explore its applications especially in the medical field.
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Conserving Electricity: Turn It Off

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore causes of air pollution and relate them to energy conservation.
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Watt's Up with the Electricity Bill?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study of how much electricity is used in their home and the actual cost for the electricity. They create a realistic conservation plan for their home focusing on the areas that tend to use a great deal of electricity....
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Electrical Current

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars describe an electrical current and the factors that determine the resistance of an object.  In this electrical current lesson students discuss their knowledge of voltage, current and resistance.
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Mississippi’s Electricity: From Generation to Consumption

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover how electricity is produced. For this physics lesson, 8th graders infer about the future of Mississippi's energy industry. They participate in a Smart Board interactive activity at the end of the lesson.
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The Conncection Lesson

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders see how electricity can flow through objects and can be used to do work. They construct a working circuit of their own and explain why it is able to do work. They get students familiar with what it takes to create a movie.
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Electricity 4

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create a timeline of the most important dates and events involved in the history of electricity. Each student researches one scientist and designs and illustrates a piece of a poster board for the timeline.
Unit Plan
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Basic Electric Circuits

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students calculate the resistance across a bank of resistors in a series, parallel and combined circuit. Using new vocabulary words, they define and describe them in a scientific manner. After stating Ohm's Law, they solve electrical...
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Electric and Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars study the concept of magnetic and electric field.  For this magnetic lesson students participate in a lab using magnets.
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Exploring Electricity: Light Sculptures

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils study electricity by making their own light sculptures. In this light sculptures activity, students review electrical loops and circuitry components. Pupils then plan, create, and refine light sculptures.
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Mechanical, Electrical and Radiant Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students write a hypothesis and complete a lab.  In this investigative instructional activity students complete their lab and a worksheet about energy. 
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Electricity and Magnetism

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Pupils use the Launchball computer site to complete a game for magnetic pennies. In this magnetism lesson, students visit the given link to discover the properties of magnetism using magnets and pennies.
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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.
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Thermoelectricity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars conduct a series of experiments on thermoelectricity. For this physics lesson, students investigate how thermocouple works. They determine the voltage generated when different conductive materials are held at different...
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Electromagnetic Radiation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the nature of electromagnetic spectrum through a series of experiments. In this physics lesson, students determine how light behaves under certain circumstances. They explain how humans perceive colors.
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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...
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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.
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Reed Switch

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students build simple electromagnetic reed switch motors. For this physics lesson, students explain how it works. They cite real world applications of reed switches and relays.
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Electromagnets

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners 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.
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Electricity and Magnets

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders find examples of magnets in or around their homes and make a list. They discover that some motors use magnets and make a simple motor using magnets, a battery and copper wire. They add to their magnet list.
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Luminous Efficacy (Efficiency)

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars examine the basics of luminous efficacy and why it is used.  In this light source lesson students test energy efficiency and the luminous efficiency for babies.
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Electromagnetic Bomb (E-Bomb)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how E-bomb works. In this physics lesson plan, students simulate the effects of e-bombs on electronic targets. They discuss its potential harmful effects when used as a weapon.
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Primary Energy Sources Pros and Cons

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students explore the different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In this earth science instructional activity, students discuss the pros and cons of each type. They conduct a variety of experiments on renewable energy.