Carolina Curriculum: STC Program > Kits for Grades 6-8 > Electrical Energy and Circuit Design

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This free lesson from Electrical Energy and Circuit Design will allow students to begin their investigations of current electricity. Students will build various circuit systems that show a steady supply of energy.

Electrical Energy and Circuit Design

Electrical energy is a vital part of living. It powers a vast number of devices that we use daily, from light bulbs, televisions, and computers to vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, and air conditioners. Electrical Energy and Circuit Design allows students to explore the transfer of electrical energy in circuits and the design of circuits to control a variety of devices through a series of engaging hands-on activities which they extend and enrich their knowledge.

Each lesson in this module builds on skills and concepts presented in previous lessons. As students progress through the module, they take greater responsibility for their own learning, eventually planning and conducting their own procedures, devising their own data tables, and analyzing the results they obtain.

Electrical Energy and Circuit Design is divided into three parts: Electrical Energy and Circuits, Electrical Components in Circuits, and Electrical Systems. A conceptual sequence chart for the module appears under Downloads.

Benefits of using this kit:
	Conceptual sequence helps students retain and apply knowledge and experience to problem-solving strategies in new contexts
	Hands-on activities are often completed with lower levels of student disruptions, which allow teachers to summarize the results and meaning of the activities
	The skills and knowledge students obtain increase their opportunity to succeed in work and life in the 21st century
	Foster positive attitudes toward science

Electrical Energy and Circuits: Students begin by investigating static and current electricity and the transfer of energy. They build electric circuits, use ammeters and voltmeters to measure current and voltage, and calculate the power in devices in series and parallel circuits. They draw schematic diagrams of circuits and develop a model for electricity, using a water flow analogy.

Electrical Components in Circuits: Students apply what they have learned about current, voltage, and power to calculate the total amount of energy an electrical device uses when it operates for a period of time. Students examine a series of devices (containing resistors, capacitors, diodes, wires, and solar cells) and identify the function of each component in the circuit.

Electrical Systems: Students identify general properties of systems by focusing on familiar systems and on the use of feedback in control systems. They construct a thermostat using a bimetallic strip to control a fan and thus the temperature of the strip. They are challenged to use what they have learned about circuit components to build an electric circuit to perform a specific function and to make a class presentation of their system..

Anchor Activity: This is a research project that requires students to do an energy inventory of their homes and calculate the cost of using various electrical devices. By examining electric bills, students find out the average cost of electrical energy (per kWh) and use that to estimate the cost of using their appliances for a day and a month.

The module begins with a pre-assessment and includes three formal assessments.

Downloads Goals In the Kit Pilot this Kit Support


	Kit Information
	Electrical Energy and Circuit Design Lesson Sequence

	Pricing
	Electrical Energy and Circuit Design Pricing Information
	Sole Source Letter

	Correlations
	Correlations to National Standards: How STC/MS Addresses the National Science Education Standards

Goals for this kit include a complete understanding of the following ideas in Physical Science:

	How energy is transferred through various electrical devices
	How a current runs through a circuit
	How the components work in a circuit
	How a circuit works within a system

In the Kit:

Electrical Energy and Circuit Design 1-Class Kit
	Teacher’s Guide
	Teacher’s Tools CD
	16 Reusable Perfect Bound Student Guides
	16 Reusable Student Guide Ebook Access Codes
	Materials to teach up to 32 students
	Teacher Access Code for Premium Content

Additional Resources Available for Purchase
	Kids Discover: Electricity
	Student Notebook
	Hardback Student Guides

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	Electrical Energy and Circuit Design Unit Kit The Unit Kit comes with a Teacher's Guide, a Teacher's Tools CD, 16 Reusable Perfect Bound Student Guides, 16 Reusable Student Guide Ebook Access Codes and the materials needed for a class of 32.

	Electrical Energy and Circuit Design Refurbishment Set This set replenishes the consumable materials in the Unit Kit.

	Electrical Energy and Circuit Design Replacement Parts We offer individual replacement parts for your Unit Kits.

	Electrical Energy and Circuit Design Student Guide and Source Book, Pack of 4 This pack is handy for replacing lost or damaged student books.

	KIDS DISCOVER: Electricity (Pack of 8) This KIDS DISCOVER magazine stimulates students' imaginations, connects science in the classroom to the real world, and makes learning fun!