Summary Do a series of activities, some free play, to explore static electricity. Science content Physics: Electricity, Electromagnetism (7) Activities in this lesson Static electricity with a balloon Static electricity: jumping rice crispies Static electricity sparks and lightning model Static electricity: light a bulb Procedure Introduce the topic by rubbing a balloon on your hair to make it stand up, then give an explanation: When we rub the balloon, atoms are pulled apart in our hair, and electrons jump from our hair to the balloon. More electrons make the balloon positively charged, which our positively-charged hair is attracted to. Static electricity is this separation of charges. Ask students to draw the hair on end and show what is happening with the electrons. Set up free play stations for students to explore static electricity further: First station: Static electricity with a balloon Second station: Jumping rice crispies Ask students to take notes/make drawings at each station. Gather as a group to report results, compare similarities and differences, and brainstorm for further experiments. Once free experimentation is done (may take several sessions), run structured activities:Static electricity sparksStatic electricity: light a bulb Notes More ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViZNgU-Yt-Y Grades taught Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 3
