Students use a variety of materials and equipment to explore the concepts of static and current electrical charges, conductors, and insulators. Through constructing series and parallel circuits students begin to understand electrical circuits and their use. Through exploring the historical perspective of electrical usage, students further their understanding of its impact on society. The teacher gives students a variety of materials to rub together to determine which ones produce a static charge. Testing can be done by bringing each object close to a ruler balanced on a watch glass or freely hanging on a string.
Students make a simple battery-tester from a bulb and wire.
The tester and battery can then be used to test the conductivity of several objects. They demonstrate their scientific skills and processes when they conduct investigations and report on the results. Skills and processes The teacher provides students with diagrams of simple circuits, and asks them to predict which ones would result in lighting the bulb. The teacher uses a checklist to assess students' successful completion of the circuits. Knowledge From a list of materials, students identify conductors and insulators.