SCIENCE BOX OVERVIEW
Kit #19
Name: “Electrostatic Studies”
Grade Level: 4-6
Content Strand: Physical Science
Content Standard and Description: Energy & Matter – Students understand that changes in temperature and pressure can alter states of matter. Energy exists in many forms, and one form can change into another.
Summary: By using unique props such as PVC tubing, acrylic rods, light bulbs, copper, and zinc, students will be learning and having fun at the same time. This kit also includes books and vocabulary lists so that students can learn from a broad range of different ways.
Learning Cycle Lesson Plans: Here is the list of the lesson plans in this kit.
1. “Structure of the Atom – Intro to Electrostatics” – Students will construct a model of the atom and demonstrate how it transfers +/- charges. They will collect data and record their observations as they are introduced to the concept of electrical energy.
2. “(Leyden Jars) Capacitor – Storage of Electrical Energy” – Students will build a capacitor to study and investigate the storage of electrical energy. They will initiate the transfer of electrical energy by static charging. They will work in pairs and record their observations.
3. “Conductive Solutions – Fuel Cell Battery” – Students will construct an electrochemical cell (battery). Based on the two previous lessons, students will design an electrical circuit to transfer the flow of electrons through a conductive solution and other conductive materials forming an electrical current.
What to Expect: By the end of using this kit, teachers can come to expect that their students will know a few specific things. First, the fourth and fifth grade students will be able to investigate and describe how electrical energy can be transferred through various materials. Also the fifth and sixth grade students will be able to investigate and describe how energy exists in forms (electrical, heat, light, etc.). As a side note, the sixth grade students are expected to know how to do the fourth and fifth grade expectations as well as the fifth graders knowing how to do what is expected of the fourth graders.
Evaluations: Here is what other teachers have said about this box.
1. “Thank you for providing this wonderful service to the students and teachers.”
2. “I’ll send you some pictures of the kit in use—thanks again.”
3. “This was a great box.”