Electrical Circuits: Promoting Learning Communities

by: Thomas O'Brien

Direct current (DC) electricity flows through a closed circuit of people, and a battery-powered ball lights up. In this activity, the Energy Ball (or UFO Ball) is a Ping-Pong ball look-alike battery-powered ball that produces and converts a small current into light and sound energy. It contains two small, external metal contacts that when touched simultaneously complete an electrical circuit and cause the ball to flash and emit sound. This discrepant-event demonstration serves as a visual participatory analogy for building connections within and between classrooms, while simultaneously serving as an engaging hands-on and minds-on way to get students thinking about electrical circuits.

Details

Type Book ChapterPub Date 3/1/2010Stock # PB271X_22

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

Learn More