Exciting Energy Activities: Stuff in a bag

Stuff in a bag

Purpose:

This is an investigation activity to introduce students to the concept of electricity. This is a good activity for those who feel that they don’t or shouldn’t understand electricity. This activity is designed so that students will be able to use the discovery method to learn how electricity works. Teacher input should be minimal to allow the students the opportunity to learn as they explore.

Objectives:

As a result of this activity, the student will:

1. Be able to draw and explain how an electrical circuit works.

2. Be able to construct a simple circuit.

Materials:

Each group will need the following:

Brown paper lunch sack

one C cell battery

Two insulated copper wires

one battery holder

two brass battery clips

one small flashlight bulb and socket

(All items are readily available from Radio Shack.)

TEKS:

5.1A,B 5.2A,B,C,D 5.3A 5.7A 5.8A,C

Procedure:

1. The teacher will need to prepare a bag for each group ahead of time. All items must be separate and in random order in the bag. Staple the top of the bag shut.

2. Give each group a bag and allow 10 minutes for exploration. The teacher must refrain from input during this time unless asked a question. The students should be busy trying to figure out what to do with the contents of the sack. Refrain from giving any hints as to the use of the contents of the sack. This is a time for exploration.

3. When most of the students have made a simple circuit with the contents of the bag, stop and discuss. Have the students who mastered the activity explain their steps to the class.

4. Discuss the concept of electricity, the flow of electrons through a conductor. Brainstorm what type of materials might be conductors of electricity. Discuss where electricity comes from and where it goes.

5. After everyone has mastered a simple circuit, each group must draw what they have done on a piece of paper. More advanced students may wish to label the parts of the circuit.

Questions:

1. How does electricity make the light bulb light up?

2. How do we know that electrons are flowing?

3. Does the way that the batteries are connected make and difference in the way that the light works?

4. Does electricity jump across open spaces?

Extensions:

1. Give each group a second battery and let them experiment. Does the second battery change anything? Does the light get brighter or dimmer? Are there different ways of connecting the batteries?

2. Make switches available for those who finish quickly. See if they can connect it into the circuit to make the light come on and off. Why will electricity not jump across an open space?

3. Electrical motors may also be added. Fans may be made easily by adding torn or cut paper fan blades to the motors.

Back to Exciting Energy
Back to BellNET Main Page