To be or not to be?
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To be or not to be? |
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(Modified by the Morris County ETTC, based on the original at http://grove.northbrook27.k12.il/us/electricity/electricity.htm)
Introduction
A small group of aliens from the planet Zoor have recently landed on Earth to complete a mission for the Great Zoor himself. It is a tremendous honor that the Great Zoor has sent a group to Earth to learn from us. The Great Zoor wants his group of Zoorians to learn about electricity in hopes that the Zoorians might someday also use this form of energy. The trouble is that although the Zoorians are highly intelligent, they seem to be having difficulty understanding basic electrical safety rules. In fact, Zoorians have been seen hanging on electrical wires and flipping light switches on and off repeatedly just to see the bulbs light up! The CIA has been called in to find ways to communicate safety rules to the Zoorians before one of them gets hurt!
Task
You and two classmates have been specially assigned to the case. Serving as the agents on this unique assignment, your task is to find a way to explain to the Zoorians, who understand very little English, how electricity works and how important electrical safety is. Remember that your work is very important because the Great Zoor is expecting all of his beloved Zoorians to return home unharmed so you must act quickly and be thorough in your research! You've been asked to make a large group presentation to the Zoorians to present your information and the CIA has suggested that you use pictures, drawings or props since the Zoorians won't understand much English.
Process
Divide your task into these three jobs:
1) Show the parts of an atom and which part jumps to create electricity.
2) Describe the parts of a circuit and what makes a light bulb light up.
3) Explain at least five rules which must be followed to keep the Zoorians safe around electricity.
Each special agent must choose one job and then use the Internet resources listed below along with any other resources he/she can find to create a thorough, colorful and interesting presentation. Remember, the Great Zoor is counting on you!!!
Resources
Special Effects (build a circuit activity)
Evaluation
Your presentation should be visual, colorful and completely explain the three job areas. You will be evaluated using the following Rubric:
All Zoorians return to Zoor safely with
wonderful information for the Great Zoor! The mission was a
success! Your visual aids (posters, drawings,
illustrations) are detailed, colorful and creative. Your information is complete and easy to
understand. All Zoorians return to Zoor safely, but
they are a bit confused about how electricity works. Your visual aids are colorful and detailed,
but not very creative. Your information is complete, but may be a
bit confusing. All Zoorians return to Zoor safely but they
are quite confused about electricity.The Great Zoor is upset! Your visual aids are not colorful or
detailed. Your information is incomplete and/or
confusing. All Zoorians return to Zoor, but several of
them have been hurt while "playing" with electricity. The Great Zoor is
furious and has vowed never to send Zoorians to Earth again... You don't have visual aids. Your information is incomplete and
confusing.
Conclusion
Thanks to you and your team, the Zoorians will be able to explore using electricity on their planet! They will understand that atoms are needed to create electricity, that circuits must be used to make a light bulb light up, and that electrical safety is very important for everyone.
Congratulations on a job well done!
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Perhaps the Great Zoor will send another group to Earth someday -- what other forms of electricity might they want to learn about? How would you explain the other forms of electricity? What other ways could you present what you learn?