Our Science Lab theme from Experience Curriculum continues with light and electricity activities. We learned about rainbows, played a “shine the flashlight” game, played with color paddles, how to make a flashlight work, about Thomas Edison and his invention, experimented with static electricity and “connected” dots.
Light and Electricity
Light was part of the Physics Lab week and Electricity was a daily topic during the week of Engineering Lab.
Thomas Edison
We “met” Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb. What a great idea! Candles and gas lamps were messy and dangerous. The book pictured below is called Ingenuity!
Color Paddles
Using color paddles, we discovered some objects like light go through and some don’t. We explored looking through the yellow cellophane and how colors changed.
We used some of the materials we already have in our science area too, like the rainbow color paddles, different colored cellophane circles, and a prism. Isacc Newton discovered that colors are hidden in light.
Static Electricity
Using balloons we experimented with static electricity. Static electricity makes things stick. Like hair stands up to stick to the balloon or the balloon can stick to the wall after static electricity is made. We tried sticking them to different surfaces and enjoyed playing with balloons.
One little girl discovered if the balloon fell into the sand table, that sand stuck to the balloon due to static electricity. And a piece of hair.
Broken Flashlight
Our flashlights weren’t really “broken” but they didn’t work. Why? Because they needed to be put together. Which pieces went with what flashlight? How do the batteries go in? What are the parts of the flashlight?
Do you know how to make a flashlight work? One of our school agers did! He explained that each flashlight must have two batteries and that they must go in the right way. If not, the flashlight will not work. They did some testing and problem solving before testing the light and getting it to turn back on. We’ve had lots of flashlight play here this month!
In order to for a light or outlet to work, there must be a connection. Outlets have electricity in them. We talked about outlet safety and how cords carry electricity safely from the outlet to the device that needs energy.
Each child did a connect the circuit sheet to connect the dots to light the light bulb. It’s been a while since we’ve done any type of dot-to-dot so a couple 4-year-olds really enjoyed it!
Shine the Flashlight Alphabet Game
What can you use to see in the dark? A cell phone. Yep. Or a flashlight! We took our alphabet cards into the bedroom and darkened the room. I spread the alphabet cards out on the carpet. Each child took a turn looking for their special letters and then more letters. It’s so fun looking for letters in the dark with a flashlight! It’s a great way to see which letters each child can identify. There are many ways to learn about Light and Electricity!
Magic Nuudles
Magic Nuddles are awesome cornstarch little packing peanut type things. By simply wetting the ends, they stick together to make wonderfully creative structures. They were included in the kit for “electricity day” for the static electricity activity. I decided to use balloons instead since it was a rainy day and we could use the movement aspect of balloons as well. During naptime, my two school agers made these interesting “surfing guys” out of the Magic Nuudles. This is an example of customizing the curriculum to your own use as well as accommodating mixed age groups.
More Science Lab Activities
- Learning About Force in Preschool
- Dissolving Salt in Water
- States of Matter Preschool Style
- STEAM Based Learning In Preschool
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Jillian
Wednesday 3rd of April 2019
What is the title of the Thomas Edison book you used for your lesson?
Stacy
Thursday 4th of April 2019
The book you are looking for is Ingenuity: https://secure.mothergoosetime.com/product/ingenuity/
Electricity Craft Preschool | Portal Indo
Sunday 29th of April 2018
[…] Light and Electricity Activities For Kids […]
Electricity Craft Preschool | Cross Roads Center
Sunday 29th of April 2018
[…] Light and Electricity Activities For Kids […]
nicole
Friday 12th of May 2017
Where can I find this connect the circuit dot worksheet?
Stacy
Friday 12th of May 2017
Nicole, the worksheet is a product of Mother Goose Time curriculum. Thanks for your interest.