Electricity Fun - What it is, Circuits, and Batteries
In this ongoing class, learners will learn what electricity is, how it's used, basic circuit formulas, and how a battery works. Demonstrations will be used to make it fun.
Trudy Field
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(197)
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
Some basic homework will be provided for some classes. Learners may do the work and feedback will be provided if the learner wishes. Completion of homework is optional.Assessment
Learner progress will not be assessed.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this ongoing class, we'll discuss various aspects of electricity from what it is to simple electric circuit calculations to how a battery is made and the simple chemistry calculations of it. We'll do several hands-on demonstrations that learners may also do at home if they wish to follow along (optional). Week of September 4th - What is electricity - atoms and electrons, static electricity, and lightning - balloon static fun demonstration Week of September 11th - How does electricity work - how humans use it, completing a circuit, sources of electricity, how electricity gets to a house - how to make a card with an LED light in it demonstration Week of September 18th - Electrical safety, materials that insulate and conduct, electric circuits - parallel and series, V = IR and P = IV - how to make a spinner demonstration Week of September 25th - Electric circuits calculations Week of October 2nd - simple experiment using vegetables as batteries - discussion on scientific method and how to write up and experiment, redox batteries thoughts Week of October 9th - Redox Batteries - how they work and the basic chemistry calculations of reduction and oxidation - how to build a simple battery demonstration Week of October 16th - DC and AC circuits, right hand rule, magnetic fields, motors ONGOING CLASSES WILL NOW REPEAT AGAIN Week of October 23rd - What is electricity - atoms and electrons, static electricity, and lightning, how does electricity work? Week of October 30th - How does electricity work - how humans use it, completing a circuit, sources of electricity, how electricity gets to a house - how to make a card with an LED light in it demonstration Week of November 6th - Electrical safety, materials that insulate and conduct, electric circuits - parallel and series, V = IR and P = IV Week of November 13th - Electric circuits calculations - how to make a spinner demonstration Week of November 20th - simple experiment using vegetables as batteries - discussion on scientific method and how to write up and experiment, redox batteries thoughts - floating tinsel Week of November 27th - Redox Batteries - how they work and the basic chemistry calculations of reduction and oxidation - how to build a simple battery demonstration Week of December 4th- DC and AC circuits, right and left hand rules, magnetic fields, motors - simple motor demonstration I recognize that all learners learn differently. Discussion will be encouraged, but no leaner will be asked anything directly. If a learner prefers to quietly take in the info by listening only, that is perfectly fine. All learning styles are welcome. No prior experience will be required to be in this class - just to be a curious person who likes to learn and think about things in a fun way. Printouts will be provided for some classes and learners may use them to take notes during class or practice later as homework.
Learning Goals
Learners will gain an overall view of electricity concepts, from what electricity is to batteries and related calculations to basic circuits and circuit formulas.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents may choose whether or not learners do any of the demonstrations or just watch. Electrical safety will be reviewed before each demonstration.
Week 1: Electromagnet - AA battery, copper wire, nail - Please note - Parental guidance on this as battery will overheat. Demonstration is difficult to match up well to make a good spinner.
Week 2: Make a card with an LED light in it demonstration - LED, watch battery, paper, aluminum foil, tape - only electricity from a watch battery - low voltage
Week 3 - Coin batteries. Pennies, salt, water or vinegar, nickels, wire.
Week 4 - Make a spinner demonstration - AA battery, hot glue gun (optional), copper wire, neodymium disc magnets - Please note - Parental guidance on this as battery can overheat. Demonstration is difficult to match up well to make a good spinner.
Week 5 - Simple battery demonstration - zinc washers, copper washers or pennies, paper, salt, water, copper wire, and tape - low voltage created from simple battery creation.
Week 6 - Vegetable circuits demonstration - potatoes or other vegetables, two zinc coated or galvanized screws or nails, copper wires, two small pennies or alligator clips, small 3mm LED, optional voltmeter or multimeter. Only electricity generated through vegetables, so low voltage.
Supply List
Learners may wish to do the demonstrations the teacher does as well. This is entirely optional as learners may simply watch the demonstrations. Each week, the items list will be provided if learners prefer to do some experimenting as well: Week 1: Balloon static fun - balloons, paper, empty pop can Week 2: Make a card with an LED light in it demonstration - LED, watch battery, paper, aluminum foil, tape Week 3 - Make a spinner demonstration - AA battery, hot glue gun (optional), copper wire, neodymium disc magnets Week 4 - Vegetable circuits demonstration - potatoes or other vegetables, two zinc coated or galvanized screws or nails, copper wires, two small pennies or alligator clips, small 3mm LED, optional voltmeter or multimeter Week 5 - Simple battery demonstration - zinc washers, copper washers or pennies, paper, salt, water, copper wire, and tape
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined December, 2020
4.8
197reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Science from University of Waterloo
Teacher has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Waterloo, which included two classes in Electric Circuitry from courses in Mechanical Engineering. One class covered Ohm's Law, Thevenin's and Norton's Laws, operational amplifiers, impedance and transducers. Another class covered further circuit analysis, DC machines, synchronous generators, transformers, inducers, motors, and speed and torque control of machines.Reviews
Live Group Class
$13
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 21 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-10 learners per class
