Electromagnetism 2: Wireless Technology, Hands-on Circuits, Lemon Batteries & More!
In this 4-week STEAM course, students explore how electromagnetism is used in wireless technology, electrical circuits, batteries and energy harvesting devices! (Homeschool / Afterschool)
Quantum Physics for Kids
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,394)
Popular
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursAssessment
The instructor will assess learner progress through class discussions and a fun end-of-class quiz.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
This 4-session course explores intriguing electromagnetism concepts that enable modern technologies people use everyday! We'll learn about the technology behind wireless communication, batteries, electrical circuits and energy harvesting devices. These topics are presented in a dynamic way to get kids excited about quantum physics and engineering inventions. The course explores the following topics: Session 1: Wireless Communication Technologies, from Radio to Wifi - Learn about Nikola Tesla's groundbreaking invention of the first wireless radio device, and explore the many ways that we use quantum physics principles in wireless communications, from cell phones to Wifi. Session 2: Chemical Reactions and Battery Technology - Students learn how chemical reactions can generate a flow of electrical current, and how electro-chemical battery technology has become one of the most important areas of sustainable energy research & innovation. We'll also build a lemon-powered battery together! Session 3: Hands-on Dough-Based Circuits with Squishy Circuits - In this fun hands-on class, students create light-up circuits with conductive dough and learn about electrical resistance, different types of circuits and Ohm's Law. Session 4: Energy Harvesting Devices - Piezoelectric Materials and the Thermoelectric Effect - Students learn about these 2 lesser-known methods for generating electricity that have exciting potential for harvesting of ambient energy that would otherwise be wasted. We'll see how inventors use these materials to harvest electricity in unusual ways, like people's footsteps powering streetlights and a mug of hot liquid charging a cell phone. We also offer an Electromagnetism 1 course, which explores magnetism, magnetic induction electricity generation, photons & solar energy, listed here: https://outschool.com/classes/electromagnetism-level-1-magnetism-electricity-photons-and-solar-power-6jCnSJ2x#us9fIT1FTd Note: It is not necessary to take the Electromagnetism courses in order, since the foundational concepts are reviewed and explained in both courses. The course incorporates physical demonstrations, educational lectures, guided questions and hands-on work by students during class time. The teacher utilizes an inquiry and discussion-based approach so that every student will feel engaged. The course is carefully structured to scaffold complex topics in supported stages, and to provide a framework for understanding how course content is relevant to students' everyday lives.
Learning Goals
Learners will explore quantum physics theory and exciting practical applications. Details of each session's learning goals are listed below:
Session 1, Wireless Technologies
Students will learn about:
- Early explorations and discoveries in wireless technologies using controlled electromagnetic radiation, like radio
- The quantum physics and engineering concepts behind how wireless technologies work
- Various forms of wireless communication technologies: radio, cell phones, satellite communications, Wifi
- New developments in wireless charging
Session 2, Chemical Reactions & Battery Technologies
Students will learn about:
- Atoms and subatomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons)
- How batteries work and how they were first invented
- Analysis of chemical reactions commonly used in batteries
- New battery technologies and how battery technologies are important for building a sustainable electricity power supply
Session 3, Hands-on Circuits with Squishy Circuits (Advanced Version)
Students will learn about:
- How to build a hands-on circuit with conductive dough and non-conductive dough (or other non-conductive/conductive elements)
- Concepts of resistance, voltage, and understanding the difference between parallel and serial circuits
- Introduction to Ohm's Law
Session 4, Energy Harvesting Devices - Piezoelectric Materials and the Thermoelectric Effect
Students will learn about:
- The quantum physics principles behind piezoelectric materials and the thermoelectric effect
- Intriguing inventions that utilize these 2 lesser-known ways of generating electricity to harvest "ambient" energy, generating electricity in a sustainable manner
Other Details
Supply List
Session 1, Wireless Communication Technologies, from Radio to Wifi No supplies required, but students may bring wireless technology tools (radio, cell phone) for show-and-tell with the class. Session 2, Chemical Reactions & Battery Technologies No supplies required, but students may bring household batteries to share with the class, and may optionally purchase a lemon battery kit to follow along with the instructor. To acquire a lemon battery kit like the instructor's demo kit, on Amazon search for "4M Kidzlabs Lemon Powered Clock." Other lemon battery kits can be substituted. (Note: A lemon is not included in the kit) Session 3, Hands-on Circuits with Squishy Circuits Required Materials: 1 Squishy Circuits Lite Kit or Standard Kit Squishy Circuits kits are available on Amazon (please search "Squishy Circuits" on Amazon to find them). Either a "Lite Kit" or a "Standard Kit" will work for this course. Session 3 uses a Squishy Circuits set (Lite Kit or Standard Kit) for safe hands-on circuit building exploration. It includes a specially-designed child-safe battery holder with electrical leads. The kit can be re-used many times, and the class includes instructions for ongoing circuit-building activities. Please note: the battery holder requires 4 AA batteries (not included). Note: The Standard Kit includes additional building materials: a container of non-conductive insulating dough, 3 dough colors, 25 LEDs and a piezoelectric buzzer. These extra materials are not required for the class, but will expand the creative options available for the student. Please order the Squishy Circuits Kit 1 week before class begins, so your child will have materials ready for the class. Students can also bring various metal and non-metal items found in their home to incorporate into their circuit designs, such as paperclips, pipe cleaners, screws, wires, paper, empty plastic containers, bubble wrap, styrofoam, etc. For easier clean-up, it is recommended that students use a piece of cardboard, paper or flat plastic (such as a plastic placemat) to build their circuits on. Student will also need a stable tabletop surface for building. Session 4, Piezoelectric Materials and the Thermoelectric Effect No supplies required, but if available in the household, students may bring piezoelectric products (light-up shoes, piezoelectric buzzers) for show-and-tell with the class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.9
1394reviews
Popular
Teacher expertise and credentials
We're dedicated to introducing young students to the amazing world of quantum physics, technological innovation and design! We've been offering STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) classes and creating educational materials for students of all ages for over 15 years. We're excited to share this course content with more students through Outschool. Reviews
Live Group Class
$64
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Completed by 195 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-12 learners per class
