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Unit 4D, Magnetism and Electricity

Unit Project: An Inventor's Fair

Has the work of inventors like Thomas Edison or Benjamin Franklin ever intrigued you? Here is your chance to follow in their footsteps. Build your very own inventions using magnetism and electricity. Then display them at your class's Inventor's Fair.

 
Project Link 1 (Chapter 1, page D9)
With other students, brainstorm to get ideas for a magic trick that uses magnets or electricity. Think about a trick that works because the force of a magnet can be “felt” through various materials. Make a drawing and then build a model of your magic trick. Include instructions so that others can build their own models.

Internet Links
Magnetism

Exploratorium: Science Snacks—Snacks About Electricity
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/iconelectricity.html

Exploratorium: Science Snacks—Magnetic Lines of Force
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/magnetic_lines.html

Exploratorium: Science Snacks—Magnetic Suction
http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/magnetic_suction.html

Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education
IPPEX Interactive: Electricity and Magnetism
http://ippex.pppl.gov/interactive/electricity/

Magic Online

The Linking Page—Hocus Pocus Magic Shop
http://www.linkingpage.com/
Student Resources
  • Magnet Tricks


  • Trucos magnéticos
  • Project Link 2 (Chapter 2, page D39)
    Brainstorm with other students to get ideas for a quiz board. Invent a way to use the opening and closing of circuits in your quiz board. Decide how and where to place dry cells, wires, light bulbs, and a buzzer. Decide what kinds of questions you can ask and how you'll arrange them on the board. Be creative!

    Internet Links
    Inventors and Inventions

    National Geographic: Inventions With Wild and Wacky Games!
    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/96/inventions/

    Student Resources

  • Making a Quiz Board
  • Making a Quiz Board (continued)


  • Hacer un tablero de preguntas
  • Hacer un tablero de preguntas (continuacíon)

    Project Link 3 (Chapter 3, page D67)
    Design a solar-powered machine or toy. Use two solar cells and experiment with different solar-powered designs for your inventions. Think about where the device should be placed in order to receive the Sun's light. Find out about other kinds of solar-powered inventions.

    Internet Links

    Solar Inventions

    Sunwind: Solar Models
    http://www.web.net/~sunwind/technology/models/solar-models.html

    National Renewable Energy Laboratories
    Center for Education Programs–National Junior Solar Sprint
    http://www.nrel.gov/education/


    Relojes de sol en Internet
    http://www.sundials.co.uk/indexsp.htm

    Student Resources

  • Making a Solar-Powered Machine



  • Cómo hacer una máquina que funciona con energía solar

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