INTRODUCTION:

    Do you like video games? Have you ever stopped to think about how they turn on and stay on? Well, your Playstation, XBox, Wii and TV all use energy to work. This energy is called electricity. No matter what you do, most likely it involves electricity in some way. Don't believe me? OK, let's pretend there was no electricty. We'll go through a normal kid's afternoon and see how much of it depends on electricity.

    It's 2:35 PM and school is over. How do you get home? Do you take the bus, or ride in a car? Too bad, they both have batteries that run on electricity. OK, you've walked home. Now it's time for a snack. Darn, that refrigerator runs on electricity. Oh well, I guess we can play some video games. Nope, that requires electricty. XBox? Nope. Playstation? Nope. Wii? Nope. Radio? Sorry, better grab a book. But don't read too long, because once the sun goes down, you need the lights, and those need electricity too. See my point?

    So now that you realize how much we depend on electricity, it might be good to learn more about this magical stuff that makes our lives easier. So go ahead, read on. You will find out what we'll be learning in this unit, and then you can pick a fun project to show of all of your "shocking" new knowledge...

OBJECTIVES:

Are the lights on in your house? Ever try walking around in the dark? It can be kind of adventurous and dangerous without light. Did you know that in 1879, just over 100 years ago, Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb. Think of the incredible changes it has brought to our current world!  Not only that, but think of the source of energy that Edison used to have that bulb light up. ELECTRICITY!! Indeed..... we will be investigating ELECTRICITY in a fun and uniquely interactive manner. ELECTRICITY is something we need every single day of our lives.

We will investigate the different TYPES OF ELECTRICITY. Even though ELECTRICITY is ELECTRICITY, well there are DIFFERENT TYPES.  Then we will begin to understand and learn about the way ELECTRICITY travels. Yup...ELECTRICITY travels! While we use the train, bus, bicycle, or highway, ELECTRICITY uses CIRCUITS to do its traveling. While traveling we will then discuss MAGNETISM. Finally, after we have taken this electrifying journey of learning you will have an opportunity to choose from a list of different and cool projects. These projects will be for you to show what you have learned to your teachers and peers.