PN> to me.  My question concerned Science and 
 PN> Tehnology in the Primary classroom. On my last 
 PN> practicum (I'm a final year student at Sydney 
 PN> University) I did a program on Electricity.  Due 
 PN> to the lak of time available we only got as far as 
 PN> doing closed circuits and inserting switches. Many 
 PN> children later went on, on their own, to making 
 PN> parallel and series circuits, others added motors 
 PN> to theirs etc.  However, where could I go from 
 PN> here?  Next year I'm going to be in the classroom 
 PN> and I need to know WHAT NEXT?  Please help!!  
 PN> Please reply!! I really need help!   ALSO, I 
 PN> noticed a genuine interest by many girls in the 
 PN> classroom which is contrary to any findings, here 
 PN> in Australia.  Could my experience be a one off or 
Sorry I missed your first post. Yes, children really get a charge out of 
working with electricity. (pun intended) I am not sure what age group you are 
talking about here - maybe 8-11 years?
 
If you are interested in continuing with the instruction as a teacher, then I 
suggest getting books on circuits. Perhaps you might enlist a local business 
in donating material or providing an instructor. Another source of help would 
be a local ham radio group.
Ideas:
1. Add solar cells to the circuits
2. Design and draw a complete house circuit
3. Study, draw, and model electrical distribution in your area
4. Visit the power company
5. Study power uses, generation, and the environmental impact of electricity
6. Wire a doll house
7. Build a crystal radio
8. Build robots from kits
9. etc.
 
As for the girls being interested, why not? I have seen no real research that 
they can't learn along with the boys. 
--- Maximus 2.02
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