Understanding Electricity – CE – Clean Energy. Bright Futures.

Understanding Electricity

Photo of student PSA, The top half is yellow with big black text that reads "KNOW WHAT TO DO!" Below that the top of a power line and pole can be seen on the right. To it's left is a yellow warning triangle symbol. To the left is the text "Do not make contact with the power line or anything that's making contact with it. Keep children, pets, and ladders away from power"

Phenomena: Dangerous Situations with Powerlines

How do power lines create dangerous situations when touching a tree or when they have fallen on the ground? (Conductivity)

Learning Goals:

Students will learn what items in the options given will conduct electricity.
Studenst will conclude that metal and wood allow the energy to flow through them.

Materials List

Optional Group Supplies

Squishy Circuits
Items to test for conductivity (i.e. erasers, pencils, paper clips, coins, wet toothpicks)

Important Links

Lesson 2 of 4 / Time: 45 mins

Students will test the conductivity of different materials by creating a simple circuit and observing a light to determine if the items complete the circuit and allow electricity to flow through them. This lesson can be done digitally by using phet simulators or as a hands-on activity with squishy circuits.

Natural Disasters and Powerline Safety

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