Background Information for Energy
 
On this page, you'll find links that fellow
teachers and KSN staff have recommended. These
links are tools to help guide your background
research on the topics covered within your kit.
sound
electricity | static electricity | electrons | circuits |
batteries | diodes | magnets | motors |
electronics
Sound
Sound
Connexions
Straightforward information on topics ranging
from the nature of sound to how telephones work.
Ed Owens of Capital Area Math/Science Alliance
Keystone Collaborative comments that this site has
"excellent information for the definitions and the
concepts involving sound."Read more
comments…
Sense of Hearing
Great ear info with intriguing questions, fun facts, and links. This page is a subset of a larger resource, Come to Your Senses, which is also excellent and student-friendly.
Sound - Wired@School
Covers a range of
topics, answering questions like "How is sound
made?"; "How do we hear sound?"; and "What is
music?" Nora Paparella from Northeastern
Educational IU Keystone Collaborative says, "I
can't wait to use this site to enhance and
supplement what we currently do with sound." Read more
comments…
Properties of Sound
A humorous chat explains the
properties of sound. The characters are fictional,
the science is not.
Mechanics of Sound Transmission
Dry but direct
statements about the properties of sound waves
that are important for hearing. This could be a good quick reference page.
Sound is Energy
This page, written for and by students, explains how sound is energy (using music as the medium for discussion), and
introduces harmonics. There are also some nice and simple ideas for extending sound explorations.
Related kits: Sound (STC), Sound (Insights),
Physics of Sound (FOSS)
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Electricity
Physics Companion: Electrical
Circuits
This comprehensive site provides logical, easy to understand
"mini-tutors" complete with text, images, and videos--good
for elementary and middle school teachers, and fourth to
eighth graders with strong reading skills.
Energy Quest
A wealth of energy
information for elementary teachers and students
covering a huge range of topics from the
California Energy Commission.
"Theater of
Electricity" from Museum of Science, Boston
Offers a variety of electricity information that can be used
for teacher enrichment.
Electricity from Newton's Apple
This page provides good educator-friendly background information, and there are a few "try this"
activities listed that may offer kit enrichment ideas. The
vocabulary list is a handy reference.
It's Electrifying!
The Franklin Institute Online offers this brief but useful
page with good electricity links at the
bottom.
Related kits: Electric Circuits (STC), Electricity
and Magnetism (FOSS), Circuits and Pathways
(Insights)
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Static Electricity
What
is Static Electricity?
Simple, competent background information about static
electricity. The use of colorful graphics and friendly
dialogue is appropriate for teachers as well as their
students.
Red and
Green "Electricity"
An electrical engineer created this site to introduce the
concept of electrical charge. Elementary and middle school
teachers report having used this activity with great success
to help students visualize difficult concepts.
Electricity and
Magnetism Module
Visually engaging site that includes an easy definition
and demonstration of static electricity. Requires Shockwave.
Related kits: Electric Circuits (STC), Electricity
and Magnetism (FOSS), Circuits and Pathways
(Insights)
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Electrons
Electrons (from
NASA)
This site offers good background information for teachers
about electrons--what they are, and how they were discovered
and named. Click on "4H. History of the Electron" at the
bottom of the page to learn about other important scientists
and the invention of the term "electricity."
Related kits: Electric Circuits (STC), Electricity
and Magnetism (FOSS), Circuits and Pathways
(Insights)
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Circuits
Physics Companion: Electrical
Circuits
This comprehensive site provides logical, easy to understand
"mini-tutors" complete with text, images, and videos--good
for elementary and middle school teachers, and fourth to
eighth graders with strong reading skills.
Energy and You: Thomas Edison's
Lab
Tucson Electric Power has created instructions to reproduce
Edison's simple electrical circuit experiment, written for
kids.
Electric Circuits
Visual
explanation of parallel and series
circuits.
Related kits: Electric Circuits (STC), Electricity
and Magnetism (FOSS), Circuits and Pathways
(Insights), Electronics (FOSS)
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Batteries
How a Battery
Works
Attractive
visuals and full explanations about the parts of batteries.
Best for teachers and older students. Jennifer Rinehimer of
Wissahickon School District says, "It would be a great
resource for a teacher who was preparing to teach a unit
involving batteries." Read
more comments…
Energizer's Learning Center
This section of Energizer's website devoted to education offers information on how batteries work, battery history, how flashights work and their history, as well as large collection of science projects.
Related kits: Electric Circuits (STC), Electricity
and Magnetism (FOSS), Circuits and Pathways
(Insights), Electronics (FOSS), Magnets and Motors
(STC)
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Diodes
Diodes
Easy-to-understand explanation of diodes from PBS.
Useful for elementary teachers presenting 3rd or
4th grade electricity kits, as well as middle
school teachers and students seeking information
about electronics and electricity.
The Diode
This site contains limited information and a few diagrams
that teachers may want to view, but it is more utilitarian
than educational in its language.
Vacuum Tube Diodes
Brief interactive tutorial about vacuum tube diodes.
Related kits: Electric Circuits (STC), Electronics
(FOSS)
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Magnets
Magnetism
(from NASA)
Fascinating background source, combining
history and science. Along with providing a
definition of magnetism, it covers the Earth's
magnetosphere, magnetic field lines, and
electromagnetic waves. Dave Reese from
Northeastern Educational IU Keystone Collaborative
comments, "This site is an excellent resource for
research projects and enrichment."Read more
comments…
Electricity and
Magnetism Module
Visually engaging site that explains
charged particles, electrical current, resistance,
voltage, circuits, and magnetism for teachers
seeking in-depth information. Requires Shockwave.
Sandie DiPietrae of Wissahickon School District
says, "Very eye catching and easy to use! Several
mini lessons are strung together much like a power
point presentation with wonderful animations to
demonstrate each concept."Read more
comments…
Exploring Magnets and Magnetism
Created as a Science Teachers Enhancement Model (STEM), this
site offers comprehensive content for teachers (grades 1-5).
Though formatted like a lesson plan, the guide is inquiry-
based.
Magnetism
Good information written with kids in mind, explaining magnetism, magnetic substances, and their North and South poles. There are also experiments and additional resources.
Magnetism
This chatty site explains the uses of many types
of magnets in great detail, and provides unique
demonstration activities. Lists sources for
procuring magnets of your own.
Related kits: Magnets and Motors (STC), Magnetism
and Electricity (FOSS)
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Motors
Building a Simple
Motor
Teachers using the Magnets and Motors kit may
want to experiment with building these different
motor models to increase their understanding and
offer classroom versatility.
How Stuff Works: Inside An Electric
Motor
Clear
visual guide to understanding a basic electric
motor; explains the function of each component.
Jason Gish from Northeastern School District says,
"In conjunction with the STC electricity kit, this
site is a helpful tool for showing students how
electricity works in their daily lives." Read more
commentary…
Related kit: Magnets and Motors (STC)
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Electronics
How Stuff Works: Electronic
Devices
This unique site offers a look inside of ordinary electronic
components, from VCRs and televisions to auto-focus cameras
and invisible pet fences. Explanations are kid- and teacher-
friendly, although more appropriate for fifth grade or
higher.
Beginner and Intermediate
Electronics
Provides
detailed beginner and intermediate electronics
material appropriate for teachers.
Basic
Electronics
Complete explanations of charge, voltage,
current, batteries, circuit elements, and
semiconductor devices for older students or
teachers. Dave Reese from Northeastern Educational
IU Keystone Collaborative says, "The information
is very straightforward with helpful explanations
and diagrams." Read
more comments…
Related kits: Electronics (FOSS)
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