Batteries!
The home ed crew came to my house today to learn a bit out electricity!
I found some good stuff on these websites...
www.topmarks.co.uk
www.switchedonkids.org.uk
... and also some stuff from the energy company E-On but I can't find the link!
First of all, did a bit of reading about electricity and discussed where it actually comes from and what it is! We talked about energy in general and about 'fossil fuels'... Miriam rolled her eyes at me a couple of times as I got my time line in a mess but all in all the children seemed to enjoy the question and answer session!
We then made our own batteries!
Sylvie and Abigail worked together to make a lemon battery that powered a small watch and the boys worked together to make a penny, foil and paper battery! Sadly, we didn't have enough pennies so the battery didn't work, but that's the point of an experiment, right? Some times you mess it up and you have to do it again!
The pennies came out of the vinegar and salt solution lovely and sparkly!!! It's made me want to clean up all of my copper - just like magic.
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4491841_make-battery-out-coins-foil.html gives you all of the instructions you need!!!!!
We did a few worksheets, as you can see in the pics then we had some lunch and a play in the garden!
The children seemed to enjoy the session. There wasn't too much talking from me - just a brief introduction which included questions and answers then straight to it! They settled well to do the worksheets too which were quite easy, yet made them think!
All good!
Abigail squeezing the juice out of a lemon that had been used to power a small watch! I didn't have my camera ready for the actual experiment! We used zinc and copper to make the battery! All good... check out the links above for more info.
Piles of pennies cleaned in vinegar then dipped in salt water and layered with wet paper and tin foil ... this battery didn't work. We think it's cause we didn't have enough pennies!
Doing a few work sheets about what uses power and what doesn't.
Sylvie enjoying her work sheet. Yes, enjoying! She didn't complain once!
Miriam building the penny battery again - it still didn't work
Spotting the dangers in the house of electrical horrors!!!!! Next time, Penshaw Monument!
