Electricity can be generated by connecting a potato to a voltmeter. Insert a nail-size copper strip and a zinc strip into a potato. Attach alligator clips to the strips and to a voltmeter. The voltmeter measures electrical charges created by the acid in the potato. Kits are available for this fourth and fifth grade experiement or supplies can be purchased at a hardware store.
Fourth and fifth graders can build basic electrical circuits to learn about electricity. Connect a battery and switch to a light bulb with an electrical wire. Connecting the components and turning on the switch will cause the bulb to illuminate. This is a visual demonstration of how electricity travels through a circuit loop to generate power.
Electricity can be generated by having students gently, but quickly, rub inflated balloons over their dry hair. The power of the electricity can be seen by holding the balloon close to light objects and seeing them drawn to the balloons by static electricity. Objects suspended in the air, such as pieces of cereal tied to threads, make the demonstration manageable and organized.
Bending water is a safe and simple way to show students the power of electricity. Fourth and fifth graders can run combs through their dry hair and hold the combs near steady streams of running water. The electrical charges will cause the water to bend toward the combs.