electricity

How To Do An Easy Pencil Electrolysis Activity On Electricity

March 11, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will love this easy pencil electrolysis activity on electricity. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

We’re learning about electrolysis which means to break something part using electricity.

Most of these items you will already have on hand and it’s a fun way for kids to visualize learning more about electricity.

How To Do An Easy Pencil Electrolysis Activity On Electricity

And this simple activity helps demonstrate how electricity can drive chemical reactions.

Too, I have a few vocabulary words for your kids to add to their science journals.

Kids can visualize that when electricity flows through a liquid that conducts electricity (called an electrolyte), it splits the molecules in the liquid into different parts.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE BOOKS FOR KIDS

Next, look at these physical science books to add to your unit study.

10 Books About Physical Science

Physical science varies in topic. It can cover states of matter, forces and motion like push and pull, forms of energy like simple circuits, light and sound to earth and space.

What Is the World Made Of?: All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases

Can you make an ice cube disappear? Put it on a hot sidewalk. It melts into water and then vanishes! The ice cube changes from solid to liquid to gas. This Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out picture book is a fascinating exploration of the three states of matter. This clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom, uses simple, fun diagrams to explain the difference between solids, liquids, and gases. This book also includes a find out more section with experiments designed to encourage further exploration and introduce record keeping.

Matter: Physical Science for Kids

In Matter: Physical Science for Kids, kids ages 5 to 8 explore the definition of matter and the different states of matter, plus the stuff in our world that isn’t matter, such as sound and light! In this nonfiction picture book, children are introduced to physical science through detailed illustrations paired with a compelling narrative that uses fun language to convey familiar examples of real-world science connections. By recognizing the basic physics concept of matter and identifying the different ways matter appears in real life, kids develop a fundamental understanding of physical science and are impressed with the idea that science is a constant part of our lives and not limited to classrooms and
laboratories

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements

Why did Gandhi hate iodine (I, 53)? How did radium (Ra, 88) nearly ruin Marie Curie's reputation? And why is gallium (Ga, 31) the go-to element for laboratory pranksters?The Periodic Table is a crowning scientific achievement, but it's also a treasure trove of adventure, betrayal, and obsession. These fascinating tales follow every element on the table as they play out their parts in human history, and in the lives of the (frequently) mad scientists who discovered them. The Disappearing Spoon masterfully fuses science with the classic lore of invention, investigation, and discovery.

Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library)

Jeanne Bendick, through text and pictures, admirably succeeds in bringing to life the ancient Greek mathematician who enriched mathematics and all branches of science. Against the backdrop of Archimedes' life and culture, the author discusses the man's work, his discoveries and the knowledge later based upon it. The simple, often humorous, illustrations and diagrams greatly enhance the text.

Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics

Charles Ludwig retells Michael Faraday’s remarkable life story in fictionalized form. Here is the father of the electric motor, the dynamo, the transformer, the generator. Few persons are aware of the brilliant man’s deep Christian convictions and his determination to live by the Sermon on the Mount. For ages 12 to 15.

Junior Science Book of Electricity

Book about electricity for children.

Energy Makes Things Happen

Did you know that energy comes from the food you eat? From the sun and wind? From fuel and heat? You get energy every time you eat. You transfer energy to other things every time you play baseball.

Waves: Principles of Light, Electricity and Magnetism (The Secrets of the Universe)

Have you ever wondered why a prism turns ordinary sunlight into a rainbow? Isaac Newton knew why. How can a magnet be used to generate electricity? Michael Faraday could have told you. Can you explain how a toaster toasts bread? In this book, author Paul Fleisher answers these and many more questions as he looks at the laws that describe how waves behave. Through simple experiments, detailed illustrations and concepts that are easy to understand, readers are introduced to the basic principles of light, electricity and magnetism in a fun, exciting way.

Liquids and Gases: Principles of Fluid Mechanics (Secrets of the Universe)

Have you ever wondered why a 10-tonne boat floats but a tiny pebble sinks? Archimedes knew why. How does a basketball or tennis ball bounce? Robert Boyle could have described how! Can you explain why a hot-air balloon rises but a balloon you blow up drops to the ground? To answer these questions and many more, author Paul Fleisher explains the laws that define how and why liquids and gases behave the way they do. Through simple experiments, detailed illustrations and concepts that are easy to understand, readers are introduced to the basic principles of fluid mechanics in a fun, exciting way.

Marbles,Roller Skates,Doorknob

Explains the concepts of simple and complex machines and mechanical advantage, and describes how wheels, including gears and ball bearings, work

Also, look at more hands-on activities to learn about electricity.

MORE ACTIVITIES ON ELECTRICITY

Also, these words to your science journal.

Electrodes – The materials used in electrolysis that help electricity flow.
Electrolysis – The process of using electricity to break down a compound (like water into hydrogen and oxygen).
Conductivity – It is a measure of how easily electricity can flow through a material.

HOW TO DO A PENCIL ELECTROLYSIS EXPERIMENT

First, look at this short list of supplies.

2 pencils
Paper plate (or cardstock/notecard) Scissors
9V battery
Salt
Water
Glass jar
Spoon
Pencil Electrolysis Experiment Free Printable (Add your email at the bottom of this post to get the free printable to use with this experiment)

Gather all the supplies needed.

Start by carefully removing the metal and eraser from both pencils.

Sharpen all the ends of the pencils. Try to make the pencils the same length.

Fill a jar halfway full with water. Add a pinch of salt. Stir and set aside.

Cut out a circle from the middle of the paper plate.

Add two holes to the middle of the paper plate (no more than 0.5 inches apart)

Place the pencils through the holes and into the water.

Place the pencils inside the water.

Then touch the 9V battery to the two pencil leads.

Watch as bubbles are created!

Electrolysis is in action.

In our experiment, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The pencils or graphite are used as electrodes.

Too, you can expand this by asking what are electrical conductors versus insulators.

For example, metals and solutions of salts and acids, like water with dissolved salt, are good conductors of electricity.

On the other hand, rubber, glass, and dry wood are examples of insulators that block the flow of electricity.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE ELECTROLYSIS EXPERIMENT FREE PRINTABLE

Now, how to grab the free printable. It’s a subscriber freebie.

When you sign up to follow me, you get access to this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list to follow me and get this freebie and many others.
2) You’ll instantly be directed to download the printable.
3) Last, look for my emails in your inbox as a follower. Glad to have you following me!

Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House

December 12, 2024 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun electricity stem lighting up a shoebox activity.Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

Learning how electrical circuits work are important science skills for kids 4th grade and up.

When you understand how electricity works, you can begin to troubleshoot electrical devices and can even begin to build and design your own inventions!

Electricity STEM: Lighting Up a Shoebox Tiny House

It’s important for kids to get hands-on experimenting when learning the different parts of a circuit.

When they have an opportunity to practice using electricity, they’ll soon see the importance electricity plays in our everyday lives.

This highly engaging electrical activity will challenge kids to design their own homes by providing each room with a light, fan, and switch!

I love it when you can combine creativity in a learning project!

BOOKS ABOUT ELECTRICITY FOR KIDS

Next, look at these books to add to your learning day.

5 Electricity Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Learning about electricity is a fascinating subject for kids to learn about. Add one or two of these books to your home library.

Electronics for Kids: Play with Simple Circuits and Experiment with Electricity!

Why do the lights in a house turn on when you flip a switch? How does a remote-controlled car move? And what makes lights on TVs and microwaves blink? The technology around you may seem like magic, but most of it wouldn’t run without electricity. Electronics for Kids demystifies electricity with a collection of awesome hands-on projects.
In Part 1, you’ll learn how current, voltage, and circuits work by making a battery out of a lemon, turning a metal bolt into an electromagnet, and transforming a paper cup and some magnets into a spinning motor. In Part 2, you’ll make even more cool stuff as you:–Solder a blinking LED circuit with resistors, capacitors, and relays–Turn a circuit into a touch sensor using your finger as a resistor–Build an alarm clock triggered by the sunrise.

Switch On, Switch Off (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Read and find out about electricity in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

It seems like magic! It's not—it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used.

At the end you'll learn how to conduct safe, fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit White

Size: Battery case: ( L X W X H): 57 x 30 x 13 / 2.24 x 1.18 x 0.51inch.
Material: The mini bulb is a kind of tungsten wire bulb, made of glass, metal, insulation materials.
Application: Used for electrical experiments in primary and middle schools/home DIY circuit test.

Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity (Start with Science)

Start with Science books introduce kids to core science concepts through engaging stories, fresh illustrations, and supplemental activities. When Oscar the kitten finds a tractor in a field and accidentally turns on the windshield wipers, he is full of questions about electricity. Luckily, Bird knows the answers! With the help of his friend, Oscar finds out how electricity is made and stored, which machines need electricity to work, and why we always need to be careful around wires, batteries, plugs, and sockets. Back matter includes an index and supplemental activities.

Nikola Tesla, Electrical Genius

Electrical engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) was indeed an electrical genius. In language suitable for both young and old, author Arthur J. Beckhard describes all aspects of Tesla’s personal and professional life, including Tesla’s childhood and his education at primary school, at the Higher Real Gymnasium, and at the Polytechnic Institute; his years working for the telegraphic engineering department of Austria, then as an engineer in Paris, and then as an employee of Thomas Edison in America; his substitution of alternating current for direct current—a simpler and more economical method of converting electrical into mechanical energy; his rotary magnetic field, which was used in transmitting the power of Niagara Falls to nearby cities; his independent research at his own electrical laboratories in New Your City; and much more. Originally published in 1959 as part of Messner Publications' "Men of Science" series.

Electrical Shoebox House STEM Activity

When I was a kid in school, I was intimated by science and especially electricity.

I had that stereotypical thought that science was for boys and way too difficult for me to understand.

When I was thinking about classes to teach for my up and coming tutorial year, one word kept jumping at me: STEM.

STEM is a highly used buzz word for educators across the world. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

I was terrified to teach STEM, but I knew if I wanted my kids to be comfortable with science, I was going to have to get over my fear of it. And boy am I glad I did.

If you’re feeling uncertain about your abilities to teach STEM, don’t. Just jump in and do it.

To do this activity you’ll need:

a shoebox
alligator clips (at least 4)
2 AA battery holders with wires connected
4 AA batteries
one motor
one switch
2-3 miniature light bulbs
tape

To begin this activity, your kids will need a good grasp of how a circuit works. You can always have them play around with the circuits to practice lighting up all of the light bulbs and the motor.

EASY HANDS ON HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE

When they have a pretty good understanding of the concept, it’s now time to build the house. First, section off the different rooms of the shoebox. You can use scraps of cardboard to be the dividing walls.

Once the walls are up, it’s time to wire the house.

You may need box cutters to cut holes in the walls (shoebox) to run the wires from the outside of the shoebox into the inside.

Tape may be needed to secure the power source on the outside of the house.Now it’s time to hook up your electricity.

Challenge your kids to light up two rooms of the house and run one fan.

Then, if you want to add a little bit of design into your challenge, your children can cut out a door and design furniture.

This highly engaging electrical activity will challenge kids to design their own homes by providing each room with a light, fan, and switch!Click here to make this fun and easy hands-on homeschool science activity!

It really is a tiny house! What a cool way to learn about electricity!

Want to see a really cool shoebox house? Take a look at this video Shoebox House STEM Project

Get even more ideas for teaching hands-on science in your homeschool below!

MORE ACTIVITIES ABOUT ELECTRICITY

Written by Christa at Little Log Cottage School.

How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch

December 10, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We are learning how to make a homemade electrical switch to get a better idea of how electricity works on a small scale. Also, look at my post 4 Weeks Free Physical Science Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas.

This activity is incredibly easy.

We’re creating a simple electric circuit and label each part using a kit that includes everything you need but first let’s learn about electricity.

How to Make a Homemade Electrical Switch

Electricity is like a river of energy that flows through wires, and it brings light, warmth, air conditioning, music, and power in general to our homes.

It’s the invisible force that makes our computers hum, our lights shine, and our refrigerators keep our food cold.

But have you ever wondered where this amazing energy comes from, how it works, and why it’s so important to be safe around it?

Let’s explore the fascinating world of electricity.

Electricity is a form of energy that comes from the movement of tiny particles called electrons.

These electrons are like super-fast race cars zooming around inside atoms, the building blocks of everything around us.

When these electrons get excited and start moving in the same direction, they create an electric current, like a river of energy flowing through a wire.

This current can then be used to power all sorts of things, from tiny light bulbs to giant machines.

WAYS TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY

Electricity can be generated in many ways, using a variety of energy sources. Some of the most common ways are:

Power Plants: These are like giant factories that use different sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, or nuclear power, to create steam.

This steam spins huge turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electricity.

Renewable Energy Sources: These are sources of energy that are naturally replenished, like the sun, wind, and water.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, wind turbines use the wind to spin generators, and hydroelectric dams use the force of flowing water to generate electricity.

Batteries: These are like portable power plants that store chemical energy that can be converted into electricity. Batteries are used in all sorts of devices, from flashlights to electric cars.

Once electricity is generated, it travels through a vast network of wires called the power grid. This grid is like a giant highway system for electricity, carrying it from power plants to homes, schools, and businesses.

The electricity travels at incredibly high speeds, reaching our homes almost instantly when we flip a switch.

When electricity reaches our homes, it flows through wires in the walls and ceilings to outlets and switches.

When we plug in a device or flip a switch, we complete a circuit, allowing the electricity to flow through the device and power it.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

Next, look at these books about electricity.

I prefer to read living books when we can find them.

5 Electricity Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Learning about electricity is a fascinating subject for kids to learn about. Add one or two of these books to your home library.

Electronics for Kids: Play with Simple Circuits and Experiment with Electricity!

Switch On, Switch Off (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)

Read and find out about electricity in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.

It seems like magic! It's not—it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used.

At the end you'll learn how to conduct safe, fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit White

Size: Battery case: ( L X W X H): 57 x 30 x 13 / 2.24 x 1.18 x 0.51inch.
Material: The mini bulb is a kind of tungsten wire bulb, made of glass, metal, insulation materials.
Application: Used for electrical experiments in primary and middle schools/home DIY circuit test.

Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity (Start with Science)

Nikola Tesla, Electrical Genius

Also, look at these facts about electricity.

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ELECTRICITY

The first person to coin the word “electricity” was William Gilbert in 1600.
Lightning is a natural form of electricity, and a single bolt of lightning can carry up to one billion volts of electricity.
The human body is a good conductor of electricity.
The electric eel can generate up to 600 volts of electricity.
The average American uses about 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

And look at more activities to go with our how to make a homemade electrical switch.

ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTS TO EXPAND HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

Another fun way to explore electricity, currents, switches, and more is with a Snap Circuits kit.

A simple circuit needs at least 3 things- a circuit pathway (wires), a power source (battery) and load (lightbulb), a switch is also helpful to turn it on and off.

HOW TO MAKE A HOMEMADE ELECTRICAL SWITCH

You will need:

Electrical Circuit Experiment Kit
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Cardboard or scrap board-optional

First, starting with a kit like this makes it easy but still gives kids a ground up learning experience.

Plus, as they learn to connect each piece and problem solve if something isn’t working right.

To begin with you want to make sure that the end of each wire is exposed, use wire strippers or carefully remove the coating with a knife.

Wrap the end of the exposed wire coming from the battery pack onto one contact point on the switch.

Attach the other wire on the battery pack by wrapping it around a contact point on the lamp holder.

Take a loose piece of wire and run it from the other contact point on the lamp holder to the other open contact on the switch.

Add batteries to the battery pack and flip the switch.

Now if you want you can mount the setup onto a piece of cardboard or wood by attaching the battery pack with a bit of hot glue on one end.

Tack the switch to the side.

Now to add a new layer of learning you can create labels on cardstock.

Have your child place them in the correct spot for each part of the simple circuit.

Popsicle Stick Flashlight Activity and Facts About the Amazing Nikola Tesla

June 29, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a popsicle stick flashlight activity and some fun facts about Nikola Tesla. Also, your kids will love this Electricity Hands-On Homeschool Science Activity.

Also, you’ll love learning about Nikola Tesla’s life and inventions.

Tesla harnessed the power of the alternating current but worked with Edison to further develop his work on the direct current (which is what our popsicle stick flashlight is).

As a matter of fact, due to their working together and disagreements, they had a rather large falling out. Tesla went on to do so much more work in the field of science and technology.

Popsicle Stick Flashlight Activity and Facts About the Amazing Nikola Tesla

Tesla went on to do so much more work in the field of science and technology.

Did you know that Tesla has 112 U.S. patents, 17 British and six Canadian patents?

Or that he was good friends with Mark Twain?

And that Nikola developed an idea that would later be used in smartphone technology?

The War of The Electrical Currents

Edison developed the (DC) direct current, which is the current that runs continually in a single direction, like in a battery or a fuel cell.

It was originally the U.S. standard, but it had limitations, as the direct current is not easily converted to higher or lower voltages.

Tesla, on the other hand, believed that alternating current (or AC) was the solution to this problem.

AC reverses direction a certain number of times per second, 60 in the U.S.

It can be converted to different voltages using a transformer giving it far wider applications.

Edison did not want to have his early work with DC tossed aside or lose the royalties from it and so he began to try and discredit Tesla’s alternating current.

Some say he even went as far as spreading falsehoods about Tesla and his work.

The popsicle flashlight, though it uses DC current, is a great way to demonstrate how simple electric current and switches work.

I don’t care that they stole my idea… I care that they don’t have any of their own.”
-Nikola Tesla

Next, look at these facts about Nikola Tesla and his inventions.

5 Amazing Nikola Tesla Inventions

AC Power (alternating current)- is an electric current that reverses its direction many times a second at regular intervals, typically used in power supplies. This power system provides electricity for homes and other buildings.
Tesla Coil-The coil uses polyphase alternating currents — another of Tesla’s discoveries to allow a transmitter the ability to produce very high voltages. It’s still used today in radios, televisions, and wireless transmission.
Radio-While Tesla invented everything we associate with the radio — antennas, tuners, etc., an inventor named Guglielmo Marconi got the credit for the invention.
Hydroelectric Power-This is when the natural flow of water is used to generate electricity. Tesla and industrialist George Westinghouse developed the first hydroelectric power plant using the power of Niagara Falls.
Induction Motor-With its rotating magnetic field that made unit drives for machines and AC power transmissions possible. They still power up simple household items such as vacuums, hairdryers, compressors, fans, toys, and power tools.

Also, look at more hands-on ideas about electricity.

More Popsicle Sticks and Electricity Activities

Then look at some more hands-on activities.

Next, there are two great books below.

Nikola Tesla

Books about Nikola Tesla.

Who Was Nikola Tesla?

When Nikola Tesla arrived in the United States in 1884, he didn't have much money, but he did have a letter of introduction to renowned inventor Thomas Edison. The working relationship between the two men was short lived, though, and the two scientist-inventors became harsh competitors. One of the most influential scientists of all time, Nikola Tesla is celebrated for his experiments in electricity, X-rays, remote controls, and wireless communications. His invention of the Tesla coil was instrumental in the development of radio technology.

Great Lives in Graphics: Nikola Tesla

Great Lives in Graphics; Nikola Tesla is a graphic retelling of Nikola’s story which gives children a colorful snapshot of his life and the world he grew up in, while educating them on everything from alternating current to the power of the imagination.

You may already know that Nikola Tesla was an electrical engineer, but did you know that he was born during a lightning storm? Or that he had a phobia of pearls?

Great Lives in Graphics reimagines the lives of extraordinary people in vivid technicolor, presenting 250+ fascinating facts in a new and exciting way. It takes the essential dates and achievements of each person’s life, mixes them with lesser-known facts and trivia, and uses infographics to show them in a fresh visual way that is genuinely engaging for children and young adults. The result is a colorful, fascinating and often surprising representation of that person’s life, work and legacy. Using timelines, maps, repeated motifs and many more beautiful and informative illustrations, readers learn not just about the main subject of the book but also about the cultural background of the time they lived i

Finally, look at how to make this fun popsicle stick flashlight.

How to Make A Popsicle Stick Flashlight

You will need:

Jumbo craft stick
Flat battery
Copper tape
Coin cell battery
LED Lights
Medium-sized binder Clip

First, cut two pieces of copper tape a little shorter than your craft stick.

Place one of your LED lights at the end of the stick with the metal prongs on either side.

Peel off the backing a little at a time and tape over the prongs on the front and back, not quite touching the plastic tip. Run the tape all the way down.

Place the binder clip on the end and make a mark on the tape where the black touches.

Remove the binder clip and cut tape ¼” above it so that the plastic does not interfere with the connection at all.

Replace the binder clip and place the button battery writing side up where the metal of the binder clip touches the bottom half of the battery when opened.

Tape the battery in place only covering above where the clip hits, the metal of the binder clip will serve as your “switch”.

When you are done, flip the switch so that it makes contact with the battery and your light should begin to glow.

If your light doesn’t light up, check all your connections, be sure that the metal hits the copper tape, that the tape covers the LED prongs, and finally, be sure your battery is fresh.

Here is a labeled photo to show you what each of the components are to help your child understand the electrical path and process.