Creating Electricity
Electrical safety demonstration
Details: Creating Sparks: Early electricity and the lightning conductor [pdf] / Science programme leaflet [pdf]
Key Stage: 3, 4 and 5
Length: 1-2 hours (adaptable)
Maximum number: See Planning a visit
This taught session is intended to give pupils an insight into the development of early ideas about electricity. These include theories about electrostatic charge and the nature of lightning.
The session includes a dramatic demonstration of an early electrostatic generating machine and some of the popular experiments that were done in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Students will hear the story of Benjamin Franklin and his discovery of the electrical nature of lightning and invention of the lightning conductor.
Students will explore the development of theories of electricity from the early concept of fluids to later ideas about charges. They will gain insight into challenges of developing new scientific concepts from a historical perspective.
A follow-up activity may be arranged allowing students the opportunity to explore some simple electrostatic experiments that can be carried out at home.
This session offers particular insights into how science works and support for ideas and evidence at GCSE.
Leyden Jar
Creating sparks education event
