This unit intends to provide a basic understanding of how electricity works can help students recognize the need for safe practices when around electricity, begin to realize that they have control over how much electricity they use in the home and at school, and begin to understand the impact energy consumption has on electricity as a resource.
Focus questions: How much electricity does the average home use over the course of a year? How can consumption be decreased?
describe how results of similar and repeated investigations may vary and suggest possible explanations for variations
describe examples of scientific questions and technological problems that have been addressed differently at different times
describe examples of improvements to the tools and techniques of scientific investigation that have led to new discoveries
describe instances where scientific ideas and discoveries have led to new inventions and applications
compare past and current needs, and describe some ways in which science and technology have changed the way people work, live, and interact with the environment
describe intended and unintended effects of a scientific or technological development
describe how personal actions help conserve natural resources and protect the environment in their region
describe the potential impact of the use by humans of regional natural resources
propose questions to investigate and practical problems to solve
state a prediction and a hypothesis based on an observed pattern of events
plan a set of steps to solve a practical problem of a science-related idea
identify appropriate tools, instruments, and materials to complete their investigations
follow a given set of procedures
use tools and apparatus in a manner that ensures personal safety and the safety of others
draw a conclusion, based on evidence gathered through research and observation, that answers an initial question
communicate procedures and results, using lists, notes in point form, sentences, charts, graphs, drawings, and oral language
compare the conductivity of a variety of solids and liquids
compare the characteristics of static and current electricity
compare a variety of electrical pathways by constructing simple circuits
describe the role of switches in electrical circuits
compare characteristics of series and parallel circuits
demonstrate how electricity in circuits can produce light, heat, sound, motion, and magnetic effects
describe the relationship between electricity and magnetism when using an electromagnet
identify various methods by which electricity can be generated
identify and explain sources of electricity as renewable or nonrenewable
identify and explain different factors that could lead to a decrease in electrical energy consumption in the home and at school
identify and explain the dangers of electricity at work or at play
Some useful websites:
Interactive electric circuits: http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/
Parallel & series circuit http://wow.osu.edu/Electricity/parallelcirc.htm
Electric current & magnetic field http://wow.osu.edu/Electricity/eleccurr.htm
Parallel circuit http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/electric/parallel.shtml
Series circuit http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/electric/series.shtml
Electromagnet http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/electric/elmag.shtml
Basic interactive lesson http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/revisewise/science/physical/11_act.shtml
The electricity book- online
http://www.uce.ac.uk/education/research/cript/electricity%20book/frame%20start.htm
Overall electricity site http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/electricity.htm
Actewagl http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/electric/conduct.shtml
Conductors & insulators http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/electric/conduct.shtml
