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ELECTRICITY AND SIMPLE CIRCUITS WEBQUEST

INTRODUCTION Electricity is the most commonly used form of energy. It can be easily transferred from one place to another. It can also be just as easily converted into light, heat, or any other form of energy. We use electricity to light the rooms in our homes, power our televisions, microwaves, fridges, heaters, washing machines and so much more, you will explore what makes circuits work, insulators and conductors and build your own circuit to learn how it all works.

TASK Lesson 1: During this task you will learn about electricity, how it work and what is needed to make a simple circuit.

Lesson 2: During this task you will explore circuits, conductors and insulators. Then perform an experiment to find which materials are conductors or insulators.

Lesson 3: During this task you will learn to make your own battery using citrus fruit.

PROCESS
 * __Task 1:__**

1. Click on the link below and watch the video "Introduction to Electricity".

media type="youtube" key="l0nCSzqefnw?rel=0" height="315" width="560" align="center" 2. Open the and complete the questions.

3. Use the following websites to further explore electricity and circuits.


 * [|Electricity in our lives]
 * [|Switched on kids]
 * [|Simple Circuits]

4. In your groups collate the information about electricity and circuits and create a to present to the rest of the class.


 * __Task 2:__**

1. Go to this site to learn about components of a circuit and how to build one.


 * [|Blobz Guide to Circuits] (Enter the site, select number of players and click on Section 5: Circuit Diagrams).

2. Next, discover what materials are conductors and what materials are insulators by going to this site.


 * [|BBC Circuits and Conductors]

3. Using your new knowledge, you will conduct an experiment. First, you will build a circuit and then test different materials to see if they are conductors or insulators.

4. Record your findings on worksheet

1. You have built your own circuit and tested materials for conductivity, watch the video below to learn about where our electricity comes from. media type="youtube" key="__zB80Saglk?rel=0" height="315" width="560" align="center"
 * __Task 3:__**

2. Now you will conduct an experiment to make your own power source.
 * [|Fruit Battery Experiment]

3. Demonstrate your battery to the class.

RESOURCES  __Interactive Websites__ __Video__ __Pictures__ ASSESSMENT Circuit Explanation || Mentions elements of electrical circuit. || Includes a good explanation of electrical circuits. || Includes a detailed, accurate explanation of how electrical circuits work. ||
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 * =  ||= Developing ||= Competent ||= Proficient ||
 * Electricity || Basic knowledge of Electricity and its uses. || Includes good explanation of what electricity is and how it is produced. || Includes detailed, accurate terminology of electricity and how it is produced. ||
 * Electrical
 * Oral Presentations || Presentation is poorly prepared, without much detail. Speaker is hard to hear or understand. || Presentation is prepared and practiced. Speaker speaks loudly and clearly and explains project. || Presentation is well prepared and practiced. Speaker speaks loudly and clearly and explains project in detail. ||
 * Conductor and Insulators || Demonstrates little knowledge of conductors and insulators. || Demonstrates adequate knowledge of conductors and insulators. || Demonstrates detailed understanding of conductors and insulators. ||
 * Battery Demonstration || Mentions elements of battery. || Includes a good explanation of battery. || Includes a detailed, accurate explanation of how battery and how it works. ||

CONCLUSION Congratulations, now that you have learnt about electricity,  you are able to build a simple circuit to light a light bulb,   you know which type of objects conduct electricity,   and make your own battery.

TEACHER NOTES  Board of Studies Syllabus: Science and Technology   Stage 3: Switched On
 * Learn about electricity, what it is, how it works and where it comes from
 * Learn about insulators and conductors
 * Build their own circuit and battery
 * There are various forms of energy
 * A complete circuit is needed for electrical devices to work
 * Make detailed observations using appropriate technologies
 * Devise a test that will support or disprove a prediction
 * Exhibit self direction of own learning