This collection of 20 science demonstrations illustrates basic properties of electricity, from static electricity to simple circuits and eletromagneticism. They all use household materials and include a brief explanation of what happened, some ideas for additional experiments, and a section called "show time" for science fairs. Experimental details are clear and written at a basic level.
How to make a BristleBot
Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories shows you how to make a robotic toothbrush using a watch battery, foam tape, a vibration motor and some wire.
I want to
find out more about electricity
AC/DC:
What's the Difference?
To find out more about alternating and direct current, what exactly
an electric current is, and two ways that the currents can be
produced, check out the interactive illustrations on these pages.
Electricity
and Magnetism
This module will introduce you to many of the basic concepts
involved with Electricity and Magnetism. We will introduce you
to static charge, moving charge, voltage, resistance, and current.
Magnetism and how it relates to electricity will also be presented.
How
Batteries Work
Learn some fun facts about batteries and flashlights ... how they work, their history, how to take care of them ... and visit our Science Center to experiment with our do-it-yourself science projects. From the Energizer company.
Interactive
Electricity Book
Don't be put off by the simplicity of the opening window. View this animated site of basic
electronics concepts.
K'nex®
Elevator
Mrs. Frisby was amazed by the elevator the Rats of NIMH had built.
You can build your own electric elevator if you have a K'nex
set. Here's how Lianna did it.
The
Lemon Battery
Did you know you can make electricity without a battery or a
generator? You can make a small amount of electricity with a
lemon. Note: wash the coins thoroughly first!
Tell
Me More - Electricity Basics
This section good for that basic report. Other sections deal
with safety for kids around electricity. From PG&E.
Theatre of
Electricity
All about the huge Van de Graaff Generator at the Museum of Science
in Boston. Includes a Quicktime movie showing how it works.
What Is Electricity?
Where does it come from? How does it work? Before we understand all that, we need to know a little bit about atoms and their structure.
Where do we get
energy to run our house?
Edison's
Miracle of Light
In September 1878, when Thomas Edison announced his intention
to harness Niagara Falls and produce a safe, electric light system,
gas stocks plummeted on Wall Street.
Energy Ant
Energy issues for children. Understanding renewable sources of
energy versus nonrenewable sources. From the Energy Information
Administration.
Energy
Quest
Science projects, stories, puzzles, an art contest, and other
energy-related things to do. From the California Energy Commission.
Experiments
from the Charles Edison Fund
You can become an energy waste-watcher! Once you know what to
look for, you can make valuable energy-saving suggestions to
your friends and your parents.
Kansas City
Power & Light Kids Clubhouse
Delightful site from a power company to help kids understand
all about electricity through games, projects and experiments.
Nuclear
Power
How power is generated in a nuclear power plant. The benefits
and risks. Illustrated with animated graphics.
Roofus'
Solar Home
Roofus is a dog who has made his doghouse "energy smart."
You can test your home and make it use solar energy, too.
Virtual
Power Plant Tour
Another coal-burning power plant tour, but with Quicktime and
Shockwave multimedia features. Best with fast connection.
I want to
find out more about electronics
Basic
Electronics
Without a thorough grasp of basic electronics you will never
fully understand the later and much more complicated electronics
tutorials. As a suggestion start by reviewing "starting
out in basic electronics" followed by some radio electronics
terminology.
Electronic
Circuits
Here are some neat circuits you might want to try to build.
Electronics For Children
Hi! My name is Digit. I just hopped off my circuit board to welcome
you to my electronic room. Have you ever wondered how your everyday
electronic devices work? Well, we'll show you how!
Electronics
For Kids
You can learn about the basics of electronics by looking at magnetism,
static electricity and simple circuits with some very simple
experiments.
I
want to build a motor
Beakman's
Electric Motor
I saw this on the TV show Beakman's World and I was very impressed
that you could actually build a working electric motor with so
few parts. [Motor
Eléctrico De Beakman en Español]
Build
an Electric motor in 10 Minutes
The motor is simply a battery, a magnet, and a small coil of
wire you make yourself. There is a secret to making it (which
I will of course share with you) which is at the same time clever
and delightfully simple.
Simple Electrostatic Motor
You can build this simple electrostatic motor from 2-liter soda bottles and aluminum foil. Its construction does not require access to a machine shop. It draws a fraction of a microamp during operation, and can run at unexpectedly high speeds (1000 RPM!).
What is Static
Electricity?
Electrical Fleas
Start your own electric flea circus! In this Exploratorium Snack,
static electricity makes electric "fleas" jump up and
down.
Sticky
Electrostatics
There are several things which interfere with our understanding
of "Static Electricity." Most demonstrations incorrectly
focus on friction. Also, the nature of matter and the fundamental
reasons for charge conservation are usually ignored. By William
J. Beaty.
Stranger
Than Friction
Ever been shocked on a cold day by touching a doorknob or another
person's hand? If so, you've experienced firsthand the effects
of static electricity.
Static
Electricity Page
Homeschooling dad, Bill B, has page after page of experiments
you can do to help understand static electricity and its uses.
What
is Static Electricity?
You walk across the rug, reach for the doorknob and..........ZAP!!!
You get a shock. What was that???!!!
Ages 9-12 - Master the real science behind electricity and have a blast doing it. Includes a genuine Klutz alkaline battery, a buzzer, a propeller, a light bulb, a motor and other useful doodads -- everything you need for all 8 projects. Toss in a little history, and you've got an activity book so good, it's shocking.
Electric Gadgets and Gizmos
Battery-Powered Buildable Gadgets that Go!
by Alan Bartholomew
Kids begin by learning about the parts of a basic circuit and go on to build switches and battery packs. Projects are made from recycled household materials -- such as cardboard tubes, clothespins and empty shampoo bottles -- and powered by batteries.
Electric Mischief
Battery-Powered Gadgets Kids Can Build
by Alan Bartholomew
Grade 4-8-Step-by-step instructions for 10 projects are clearly explained and easy to follow; colorful illustrations aid understanding. Materials required, such as 1.5 volt batteries, wire, motors, and lightbulbs, are listed with each activity and are readily available at hardware stores.
Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius
28 Build-It-Yourself
by Robert Iannini
This books gives the evil genius loads of projects to delve into, from an ultrasonic microphone, to a body heat detector, and all the way to a Star Wars Light Saber. This book makes creating these devices fun, inexpensive, and easy.
Switch On, Switch Off
(Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
by Melvin Berger
It seems like magic! It's not -- it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used. At the end you'll learn how to conduct fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!
(Make it Work! Science)
by Wendy Baker, Alexandra Parsons, Andrew Haslam, Jon Barnes
For anyone wishing to learn more about electricty and how it
works - this fun book of experiments includes colorful pictures
that show exactly how to do it right.
If you've ever wondered how the high-tech gadgets we encounter
in our daily lives work--from the computers on our desks, the
CD players in our homes, the automatic teller machines at the
bank, to the machines that sort our mail--this is the book that
has the answers.
