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• Have the students write a biography of a significant figure in the history of energy and its related fields. Have them research different events and discoveries associated with the scientist (see list of scientists' names found in this guide). Afterward, have the students design a time line based on the dates of the many discoveries of these figures. Students can then present their research orally in the sequence of the time line. Bind your students' reports into a book and add it to your classroom library.
• Further to your students' studies on Greece and Greek myths, have the students write their own myths, incorporating the power of the sun, moon, wind and/or water. |
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• A delicious way to explain the principles of energy to your students is to pop some popcorn with them! Popping corn illustrates that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but it can change forms. Have the students examine the popcorn kernels. Ask them to observe the size and texture of the corn. Explain the kernels represent “potential” energy. Popcorn kernels have water in them. Ask the students to predict what will happen when it is heated. The energy correlations are endless. Talk about the heat energy of the stove; the light energy of the burners; the mechanical energy of the popping corn; the sound energy of the kernels popping; the chemical energy stored in the body after you eat the popcorn, etc. Enjoy! |
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• In these times of fiscal restraint, have the students create their own galvanometers. Each student will need: a simple compass and 120 cm of insulated copper wire with bared ends (rolls of wire can be found at hardware or electronics stores). You will need: a wire stripper (to cut the lengths of wire and to strip the insulation off the ends), and enough electrical tape for all the students. To make the galvanometer, have the students wrap the wire around the compass at least 8 times leaving about 12 cm of wire left over on each end. If the wire slips off the compass, use the tape to hold it on. Touch each end of the wires to each end of a battery (at the same time). The needle will move if there is still electricity in the battery. This galvanometer can be used to test the simple battery the students can make following the experiment found further on in this guide.
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