Grade: 3rd

Standards:

• 3-PS2-3. Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other

• 4-PS3-2. Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

Summary:

Students come to make sense of the phenomena of static electricity as they use the science and engineering practices of asking questions and making observations to learn about the nature of electric charge and different methods for charging objects. In a hands-on activity, students induce an electrical charge on various objects, and experiment with electrical repulsion and attraction. They discover the disciplinary core ideas of energy and electric and magnetic forces while applying the crosscutting concepts of energy transfer and cause and effect relationships. This lesson is a part of a larger unit about electricity with many other great hands-on activities.

Focus Questions:

• Why do you think that your hair stands up after rubbing it with a balloon?

• What are some examples, from your own experiences, of the buildup or discharge of static electricity?

Posted by: Lauren Pio