Using electricity in middle school projects is a bright idea.
The study of electricity is a fascinating subject for scientists of all ages. Middle school students are old enough to begin working with electricity, provided they follow all safety procedures. Teachers can conduct a wide variety of projects in the classroom. Students can complete even more experiments at home with common items. Educators should encourage children to think about the uses of electricity and form hypotheses about its properties.
Continuity Testers
Homemade electronic testers can help students determine the flow of electric current items around the classroom or at home and are easy to build. The important components, including snap connectors, insulated jumper leads and a buzzer can be purchased at electronics stores. Attaching these items to a power supply will allow students to test electric current by clipping probes to the metal prongs of a plug. Students should test the current in a variety of items, such as lamps, televisions and cell phone chargers to compare how much current flows through different items.
Conductive Soil
Examining the conductive properties in various types of soil combines the study of electricity with geology. Students gather samples of different soils, including those with a high volume of sand, clay deposits and those supplemented with fertilizer. Samples will need to be dried in the sun or by oven and measured for consistent weight. Current can be measured by placing electrodes in the soil and connecting them to an ammeter and DC 12-volt battery.
Generator
Teachers can discuss the importance of generators and help students generate examples during class discussion, such as a hospital continuing to have electricity during a power outage. It is possible to create a simple generator in class that can power a small Christmas light bulb using a cardboard box, magnet wire and a ceramic magnet. Strip the wire and wrap it around the box. Bore a hole in one side of the box, and connect the wires to the small bulb and magnet to produce electricity.
Create Lightning
Middle school students will feel powerful when they are able to generate their own lightning. Push a thumbtack through the center of a metal pie plate and mount a ball point pen on the tack. Rub a wool sock quickly over a piece of styrofoam. Using the pen, lift the pie plate and set it on the styrofoam. Have students turn out the lights, place their hands on the pie plate and watch the spark!
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