It’s Electrifying

Introduction

Task

Process

Evaluation

Teacher Information

Introduction

It was a dark and stormy night. Thunder boomed and lightning crashed. The power was out so you grabbed your flashlight to see what was going on. You pushed the on button just as you heard a strange noise, but nothing happened. You were still in total darkness. Why was your flashlight not working? You will find out as you explore electricity.

	Task
After learning about electricity you will show what you have learned by choosing a project to complete. Whichever project you choose, you will have to demonstrate your knowledge of electricity.

Process

1. Begin by going to these sites to explore electricity and find out some basic information.

Electricity in our Lives

Simple Circuits

Complete the Transfer of Energy Organizer.

You may look back at the Electricity in our

Lives site if needed

2. Then go to these sites to practice building a circuit.

BBC Changing circuits

Build Your Own Circuit World

Complete the Diagram of a Circuit worksheet.

3. Next, discover what materials conduct electricity and what materials are insulators by going to these sites.

BBC Circuits and Conductors

Who Can Resist

Complete the

Table of Conductors and Insulators.

4. Now, using everything you have learned, you will conduct an experiment. First you will build a circuit and then you will test different materials to determine if they are conductors or insulators. You will follow the scientific method as you complete your experiment.

Scientific Method Recording Sheet

5. Finally, you will choose one of the following projects to complete with your team: skit, board game, interview, poem, or building a model house. Each project must include information about how circuits work, about insulators and conductors, and how energy is transferred to different forms. See the scoring guide for details.

Evaluation

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Electrical Circuit Explanation	Mentions elements of electrical circuit	Includes a brief explanation of electrical circuits	Includes a good explanation of electrical circuits.	Includes a detailed, accurate explanation of how electrical circuits work.
Conductor and Insulators	Demonstrates little knowledge of conductors and insulators.	Demonstrates some knowledge of conductors and insulators.	Demonstrates adequate knowledge of conductors and insulators.	Demonstrates detailed understanding of conductors and insulators.
Transfer of Energy (heat, light, sound, etc.)	Demonstrates little knowledge of transfer of energy.	Demonstrates some knowledge of transfer of energy.	Demonstrates adequate knowledge of transfer of energy.	Demonstrates detailed understanding of transfer of energy.
Oral Presentation	Presentation is poorly prepared, without much detail. Speaker is hard to hear or understand.	Presentation is somewhat prepared and practiced, without much detail. Speaker may be hard to hear or understand.	Presentation is prepared and practiced. Speaker speaks loudly and clearly and explains project.	Presentation is well prepared and practiced. Speaker speaks loudly and clearly and explains project in detail.
Written Project	Written work is poorly written with over 10 spelling or grammar mistakes.	Written work is poorly written with 6-10 spelling or grammar mistakes.	Written work is well written with 4-6 spelling or grammar mistakes.	Written work is well written with 1-3 spelling or grammar mistakes.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned about electricity, you know why your flashlight was not working. Next time you will be able to fix the flashlight when it does not work.

Credits

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/changing_circuits_fs.shtml

http://www.cleo.net.uk/consultants_resources/science/circuitWorld/circuitworld.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/circuits_conductors_fs.shtml

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/siliconspies/flash/concepts/electricity.htm

http://www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/siliconspies/flash/concepts/simplecircuits.htm

http://www.pge.com/microsite/pge_dgz/wires/resist.shtml

Teacher Information

Grade Level Expectations

· Construct and diagram a complete electric circuit by using a source (e.g., battery), means of transfer (e.g., wires), and receiver (e.g., resistance bulbs, motors, fans)

· Observe and describe the evidence of energy transfer in a closed series circuit (e.g., lit bulb, moving motor, fan)

· Classify materials as conductors or insulators of electricity when placed within a circuit (e.g., wood, pencil lead, plastic, glass, aluminum foil, lemon juice, air, water)

· Identify the evidence of energy transformations (temperature change, light, sound, motion, and magnetic effects) that occur in electrical circuits

Show Me Standards

Content-Science

· properties and principles of matter and energy

· processes of scientific inquiry (such as formulating and testing hypotheses)