Exploring Electricity

by: Sarah Harris

"Globe and Sun” Discovery Education. Retrieved October 23, 2005 from                                                                                                                                         “Light bulb” Discovery Education. Retrieved October 23, 2005 from
http://school.discovery.com/clipart/clip/sol.html                                                                                                                                                                          http://school.discovery.com/clipart/category/anmt.html

Understanding Statement:
Electricity has many sources and uses (light, heat and sound), making it a very important part of daily life.

Introduction:
Have you ever rubbed your feet across a carpet and then shocked the first thing that you touched?? That shock is from electricity! Electricity is everywhere and it has many sources and uses that can be discovered using this Treasure Hunt. Electricity is not an invention but the ways that we use and control electricity are. Complete this Treasure Hunt to learn more about Electricity- how we use it and for what reasons. Answer the questions with Paper and Pencil. This will help you complete your performance assessment that will follow the questions.

Click on the yellow word in each question to see a website that will help you find your answers. Be sure to read all of each question before clicking on the yellow word!

1.    What is electricity a form of?

2.    What is our main source of energy on earth?

3.    Oil is one of our energy resources, can you name another?

4.    Name the scientist who first discovered electricity. What object do you think he used to discover it?

5.    Things use electricity to make light, heat and sound. For example, your microwave uses electricity to make heat. Use the website to name one thing that uses electricity to make light and one thing that uses electricity to make sound. (HINT: Look by the 'thing' riding his bike.)

6.    Look at the picture to tell what source is being used to light the light bulb. (The picture is on the third page, so click on "next page" two times!)

7.    Look at the picture to tell what source of electricity the boy is using to make his train move.

8.    We use electricity everyday to do things like cook dinner or wash clothes. Find one use for electricity from the website and then think of one thing that you would not be able to do without electricity! (HINT: Look under "Where does Electricity come from?")

9.    Now it is your turn! Re-read the Understanding Statement at the top of this page. Write one question that you still have about the sources and uses of electricity.

Putting it all together:
Now that you have explored electricity, use your new knowledge to write a friendly letter to your local electric company! Explain to the company that you understand : what electricity is, three sources of electricity, three uses of electricity and why electricity is important to you. Feel free to ask the company questions about anything that you would still like to know about electricity and be sure to thank them for providing such an important service to you! You may use your answers to the questions, but not the websites! Happy Writing! :- )   

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