The Interactive Science Classroom
Grades 4-6
Grade 6 Understanding Matter and Energy:
Electricity and Electrical Devices
LEGEND:
Individual Activity
Group Activity
Demonstration
Outdoor Activity
Building Circuits
The screenshot above shows the Gizmo "Circuits". Using this Gizmo, your students can individually build electrical circuits using batteries, light bulbs, resistors, fuses, wires and switches. When a circuit is working, the light bulb will turn on. Students can scaffold their learning by choosing to see the current when building the first time.
As your students play with this Gizmo, they will make discoveries on their own. What happens when you put two light bulbs in a circuit instead of one? Does the amount of wire make a difference in the circuit? What about the strength of the battery?
Expectations Addressed: 2.2, 3.6, 3.7
Playing with Static Electricity
We've all done the experiment where you rub a balloon on your head, your hair sticks up, and the balloon sticks to the wall. This is a great hands-on activity that students can actively engage in and play with.
In my opinion, one of the best ways to understand static electricity is by playing with a Van de Graff machine. This machine separates the positive and negative charges that are circulating through it, forcing the top be super positive. Using this collection of positive charges, there are many experiments that can be done to demonstrate static electricity (including the fun hair-raising trick to the left).
For this activity, a trip to the local science centre will be in order. I used to perform this demonstration at the science centre I worked at and I found that the Van de Graff machine makes a n abstract topic simple to understand. As an added bonus, students can also play with it, giving them the hands-on time they need to fully grasp the concept.
Expectations Addressed: 2.3, 3.1, 3.2
Haven't used Gizmos before? Click here for an explanation!
