Gold Seal Lesson:
A Shocking Experience

Copernicus Education Gateway

Subject:

Science

Grade:

9-12

ICLE Standards:

Physical Science: Develop an understanding of the principles and use of electrical current.

Statistics: Use graphs, charts, tables, etc. in relevant situations.

Communication: Develop effective ways to communicate.

Workplace: Develop the ability to work together as a team member.

Performance Task:

Working in cooperative groups of 4 or 5 students, your task is to construct a device that demonstrates the use of electrical current. First, brainstorm possible things that you might make that will demonstrate electrical current. Discuss the possibility and/or difficulty of producing these devices. Select one item that seems practical and construct it using materials available in the classroom. The device should serve a purpose and, by constructing it, you will demonstrate an understanding of electrical current and how it can be purposefully used. After constructing your item, develop an owner's manual. The manual should include, but not be limited to, diagrams, graphs, troubleshooting ideas, and maintenance.

Maintain a daily work log that keeps track of team planning and accomplishments.

Create a commercial that could be used to promote the sale of your device and make a presentation of your device to the class, including the commercial.

Knowledge / Skills:

Plan and apply real or hypothetical models and constructions to facilitate investigation and learning and the solution to practical problems.  (s115)

Understand electric current (i.e., the flow of electric charge) and apply it to conductivity, amperage, resistance, and circuits in parallel and series.  (s29)

Perform operations with signed (positive and negative) numbers, including decimals, ratios, percents, and fractions. (m1)

Understand the nature and purpose of a variety of technical formats such as business letters, memos, instructions, policy statements, technical proposals, user manuals, lab reports, etc.  (ela30)

Rubric:

4 Points  =  The students' device demonstrates a thorough understanding of electrical current and the principles of electricity. They work cooperatively in constructing an operational item. The manual is complete and gives a detailed explanation of the item. The commercial is creative and interesting. Written and oral work demonstrates well-developed communication skills.

3 Points  =  The students' device demonstrates a fairly complete understanding of electrical current and the principles of electricity. The students work fairly cooperatively as a team, but at times, one student seems to dominate the activity. The completed item works fairly well most of the time. The manual contains all required components, but the explanation of the item is not clear. The elements in the manual are somewhat hard to follow. The commercial is adequate, but not particularly creative or interesting. The students' written and oral work demonstrates fairly well developed communication skills.

2 Points  =  The students' device demonstrates only a minimal understanding of electrical current and the principles of electricity. Although the students are not uncooperative with each other, they rarely work together as a team. The device does not work very well. The manual is incomplete and/or is very difficult to follow. The commercial is uninteresting and lacks creativity. The students' communication skills are relatively ineffective.

1 Point  =  The students are unable to complete the task. They do not produce a workable item, indicating severe misconceptions about the principles of electrical current. The students do not work as a team and, at times, are uncooperative with each other. The manual is either not attempted or is put together so poorly that it is useless. The students do not demonstrate any effective communication skills.

Keywords:

STATISTICS
CHARTS
GRAPHS
MODELS AND CONSTRUCTION
ELECTRICITY
TECHNICAL WRITING

Grades:

Kg [] - 1 [] - 2 [] - 3 [] - 4 [] - 5 [] - 6 [] - 7 [] - 8 [] - 9 [x] - 10 [x] - 11 [x] - 12 [x]

ICLE Application:

D

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