Electric Energy Projects

Electromagnet Project

Students should wrap stripped thin wire around a long nail about 50 times. The wire should be cut at the end, leaving a couple of inches free at each side. Tape the wire from the ends of the nail to the negative side of the battery. They will then open the knife switch and connect the wire at the bottom end of the nail to the knife switch. Another short piece of wire should be taped to the positive end of the battery. The wire from the battery should be connected to the knife switch terminals. When the knife switch is closed, electrical energy will be created. Have the students hold paper clips to the nail to demonstrate the energy.

Inflate several balloons and make the room as dark as possible. Rapidly rub one of the balloons against a piece of fur or wool. Allow a few students to rub different balloons so that you can create a lot of lightning at once. Move all of the balloons close to a metal object in the room such as a doorknob. A spark will be created when these two objects come into contact, demonstrating electric energy.

Conduct readings with a Kill a Watt meter in your classroom on certain electricity powered objects. You could allow students to engage in this activity at home with the help of a parent. Have students record how much energy different appliances such as microwaves, radios and computers use up in a day. Have students suggest alternative methods of energy or ways in which they can help to keep the amount of electricity used in their homes down.

Have younger students create posters with rules and pictures of how they need to be safe around electricity. For example, they could write that they must not touch electric devices without an adult's permission or that they must not touch an electrical appliance when they are wet. Other examples of rules they could demonstrate include not flying kites near power lines or watching out for downed power lines. Groups could present videos they find on electrical safety.