Electrical Energy and Circuit Design (Middle School)

Students explore the transfer of electrical energy in circuits and the design of circuits to control a variety of devices. Students begin by investigating static and current electricity and 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.

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.

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.

Electrical Energy & Circuit Design Lesson Sequence (pdf)

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