Investigate static electricity. Rub a balloon on a piece of wool and explore which materials the balloon will stick to. Try using things such as walls, doors and windows. Rub balloons on different materials such as hair, clothing and the carpet. Explore which materials work best for creating static electricity. Investigate if the number of times you rub a balloon on a material affects the duration of the static charge.
Make a simple electric circuit using a battery, wire and a small light bulb. Use wire clippers to cut two pieces of electrical wire. Use a knife or scissors to strip the insulation from the ends of the wires. Connect one end of each wire to the pole of a size D battery. Connect the loose ends of each wire to the light bulb's base. The light bulb turns on. Try adding a switch to your design to explore open and closed circuits. Use wire to position the switch between the battery and the light bulb.
Investigate which materials electric currents can pass through. Attach wire to a battery and a second piece of wire to a small light bulb. Place an object in between the battery and the light bulb. Touch the two wires to the object. If the bulb lights up, electricity is passing through the object. If the bulb does not light up, electricity is not passing through the object. Try a plastic cup filled with water, a paper clip and air.
Research energy conservation. Explore how much energy is used in your home each month. Investigate which items in your home use the most energy. Research ways to reduce your family's energy consumption. Explore areas such as energy-efficient light bulbs, appliances, windows and doors; turning off lights; unplugging appliances; and using electricity during off-peak hours.
Children should not perform electricity experiments without adult supervision.
If wires begin to melt during experiments, dismantle circuits immediately.