Introduction Task Process Roles Resources Evaluation Conclusion Credits

Lights Out! What comes to mind when you find yourself suddenly in

complete darkness? At first, probably fear. But when you see there is nothing

to be afraid of, you usually begin to have questions about electricity. Another event that may get you

thinking about electricity is when you see people working on electrical lines

or being lifted by a mechanical "cherry picker" to heavy wires hovering

overhead.  You and two to three other team members will be responsible for

uncovering the mysteries of electricity. We don't think much about electricity

until things go wrong. What can you learn from studying

electricity?

Introduction Task Process Roles Resources Evaluation Conclusion Credits

TaskIntroduction - Process - Roles - Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

At the end of your fact-finding mission, you and the other investigators will be a team of experts ready to show off what you know in a poster

presentation. Each expert in your group will tell the audience just what's up with electricity. So when the lights go out again, and they are sure to do so,

you'll be able to comfort others with the knowledge you have.

Team Members

Scientist

Environmentalist

Safety Expert

Historian

ProcessIntroduction - Task - Roles - Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

To become experts on electricity, you'll be assigned to a group of 2-3 students.

1. Each student will choose a role that requires a particular investigation.

2. Once you've chosen your role, you will research those questions using the websites provided.

3. Discuss your findings with the members of your group.

4. These discussions will help you build a knowledge base and will help you think of ways to put together your poster presentation.

Click on the roles below to view their job descriptions. 

Scientist

Historian

Safety Expert

Environmentalist

ScientistIntroduction - Task - Process – Roles - Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

The Scientist will head the team members and will be responsible for investigating the process of electricity, as well as coordinate all work of the other team members. The scientist will use on-

line resources to answer questions below which are related to the “science” of electricity.

1. What is electricity?

2. Where does electricity come from? Describe the circuit that electricity makes

from the power plant to your home.

3. How is electricity generated?

4. How does electricity travel through conductors?

5. How do insulators affect how electricity travels?

Environmentalist Introduction - Task - Process - Roles – Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

The Environmentalist will be concerned with ways in which electricity is generated and will investigate which forms of energy, used to generate electricity, have the

greatest and least impact on our environment.

1. What kinds of energy and natural resources can be used to create electricity?

2. How can water be used to create electricity?

3. What is nuclear energy and how is it produced?

4. What is natural gas and how can it be used to create energy?

5. Where do oil, coal and fossil fuels come from and how are they used to make energy?

6. What kinds of problems do some of these energy sources create for the environment?

Safety Expert Introduction - Task - Process - Roles – Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

The Safety Expert will look up information on the safety issues surrounding the use of electricity.

1. Describe various ways in which electricity can hurt you.

2. How can trees and power lines be dangerous?

3. List some safety devices that every home should have.

4. Create a home electrical safety checklist.

Historian Introduction - Task - Process - Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

The Historian will research the history of electricity and how its discovery has changed the way we do things.

Create a timeline of the history of electricity.

Be sure to include: names, dates and a brief description of the discovery or invention.

Resources Introduction - Task – Process/Roles - Evaluation - Conclusion - Credits

Become an expert. Don't stay in the dark when you find yourself suddenly in the dark. Put some light on the subject by entering the world of electricity information below.

http://www.aecl.ca/kidszone/atomicenergy/environment/index.asp

This site will provide information about various forms of energy used to generate elctricity, their sources and the impact they have on the Earth.

http://www.cl-p.com/electricsafetyworld/index.html

This site will provide information about what electricity is, where it comes from, how it is generated, and how insulators and conductors affect the way it travels. Important electrical safety information is also included on this website

http://www.eso.qld.gov.au/electricity/html/activities.html

This site includes information that will help answer your questions about electrical safety. It also contains other interesting information about electricity.

http://library.thinkquest.org/6064/main.html and http://www.explainthatstuff.com/electricity.html

These sites will give you information on the history of electricity.

Evaluation Introduction - Task – Process/Roles - Resources - Conclusion - Credits

The information given here is your way of monitoring how well each of you is doing. It will also be a guide used by your teacher to grade your group's overall project.

Beginning

1

Developing

2

Accomplished

3

Exemplary

4

Score

Research

&

Gather Information

Does not collect any information that relates to the

topic.

Collects very little information -

some that relates to the topic.

Collects some basic information - most relates to

the topic.

Collects a great deal of

information - all relates to the

topic.

Share Information

Does not share any information with teammates.

Shares very little information -

some relates to the topic.

Shares some basic information - most

relates to the topic.

Shares a great deal of information - all relates to the

topic.

Cooperate

with

Teammates

Always relies on others to do the work and slows

down the progress of the group.

Rarely does the assigned work -

often needs reminding

Usually does the assigned work -

rarely needs reminding.

Always does the assigned work

without having to be reminded.

Poster

Poster shows no organization,

neatness or color.

Poster has a lack of organization, is not neat and has

some color.

Poster shows some organization, neatness and

color.

Poster shows good organization, is

neat and colorful.

Display of Knowledge during

Presentation

Shows no knowledge of

questions researched.

Shows little knowledge of

questions researched.

Shows some knowledge of

questions researched.

Shows a lot of knowledge of

questions researched.

ConclusionIntroduction - Task - Process - Resources - Evaluation - Credits

You have researched and found the answers to your questions about electricity. You have worked together sharing the information among your teammates and

with others. Now you have a good idea about what electricity is, how it is generated, ways to safely use it and what the history behind its development is.

So, the next time the lights go out . . . . Your knowledge is the POWER!

CreditsIntroduction - Task - Process - Resources - Evaluation - Conclusion

adapted from Electricity: A WebQuest for 5th Grade Science

http://192.107.108.56/portfolios/o/ocasio_m/webquest/