Electrical Energy
Students today have a lot of experience with electrical energy. In the Electrical Energy module, students explore the types of things electrical energy does.
This Elaborate session allows students to apply what they have learned to new situations. In this session, students participate in a selection of activities that focus on science process skills and content understanding. To complete the session, students work independently, or with peers, to complete an offline activity that reinforces science process skills.
The Explore session promotes interest in and curiosity about electrical energy. In this session, students identify objects and things that use electricity. Students also participate in a teacher-led discussion that encourages them to wonder about what can be done with electricity. To complete the session, students work collaboratively offline and further explore objects that need electricity.
Electrical Energy
Electrical energy is energy that is used to run appliances and tools. Electricity is generated at power plants from renewable and nonrenewable energy sources before it travels through power lines to all of the necessary locations. In this module students explore the various uses of electricity and the energy sources used to generate electricity.
Core Concept
Electrical energy is made by humans at power plants by converting renewable and nonrenewable sources into electricity.
Essential Vocabulary
electrical energy, electricity, convert, fossil fuels, generate, nonrenewable, power lines, power plant, renewable, transport
Science4Us provides the essentials that teachers need to confidently and effectively lead a classroom in any science lesson. This demo shows:
- One section of the “Teacher Explain”
- One of the 40 teacher support documents
They learn about and explore how energy is generated and how it travels from one place to another. Students complete a Frayer Model to show their understanding of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
Once students complete the online activity, professional development helps you continue in the teaching of Electrical Energy. Printable teacher guides include hands-on offline activities that help develop a deeper understanding of the topic, discussion points to get them talking and sharing thoughts and follow up questions to help them recall information.
Teacher Lessons are useful both before and after the online activities. They help you prepare by offering section summaries, content extensions and best practices. To take the lesson beyond the computer, you have several options: you can use the vocabulary extensions to help students enhance their science vocabulary; go over best practices to help them become better acquainted with Electrical Energy; and/or you debunk common misconceptions about electricity, one being that it is “made” at the outlet right when it is needed, when in fact, electrical energy runs from the outlet to a lamp even if the light is not on. Once the light is turned on and the circuit is complete, the electricity can flow through the bulb, generating light energy.
