teacher’s guide for: burning things with electricity and...

Contents: Quick Reference Sheets:

• Intro: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page2• Experiment#1“Electricity”: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page2• Experiment#2“Oil Lamps”: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page3• EquipmentList . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page4• Story,Part1&2:The Darkened Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page6• Story,Ending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page7

Video Transcript:• Intro: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page8• Story,Part1:The Darkened Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page9• Experiment#1“Electricity”: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page12• Story,Part2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page14• Experiment#2“Oil Lamps”: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page15• StoryEnding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page17

Teacher’s Guide for:

Burning Things with Electricity and Oil LampsNote: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities.

Note: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities.

BurningThingswithElectricityandOilLampsARock-itScienceLessonFilmedJuly,2010

Title Page of Video

NOTE: This is the transcript of a lesson that was videotaped during an actual Rock-it Science class with real students, not actors. The students’ brainstorming comments are included on the video but are not transcribed here because they’re not part of the lesson presentation.

Rock-it Science2110 Walsh Ave, Unit FSanta Clara, CA 95050www.rockitscience.org

(c) 2012 Rock-it Science Educationally Useful Programs. All Rights Reserved

http://www.rockitscience.com/

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Burning Things with Electricity and Oil Lamps --

Intro Quick Recap:• AguynamedTommyusedtoliketoexperimentwithelectricity .

• Whenyouputelectricitythroughawire,itglows,butitgoesoutrightaway .

• Ifyouputitinajarandhaveagorillasuckoutalltheair,itwillburnlonger .

• Tommytriedfourthousandtimestofindthebestwireforglowing .

• ThiswasThomasEdison .

Experiment Quick Recap:Experiment #1: Burning Things with Electricity

• Setupwoodenplankswithcopperwiresattachedsostudentscanhookupalligatorclipstoitatanypoint .Apowersupplyisattached .

• Assurestudentsthattheelectricitycan’tpassthroughtheirskinandhurtthem .

• Studentsworkinpairs .Usethetoolsfrom“FoamCutters”withoutthebatteries .

• Instructordemonstratesbystringingapieceofwirefromawirescrubbingpadbetweentheal-ligatorclipsonthefoamcuttertool .Connectittothecopperwiresontheboardswithapairofwirescontainingalligatorclips .

• Placethetoolonanon-burnableceramictile .• Turnonthepowerandseeifthewireglows .• Studentsgetapieceofgraphitefibreanddothesame .• Thentheyseparatethewiretogetathinnerpieceandrepeattheexperiment .

• Instructorconnectsasmallbunchofsteelwooltothealligatorclipsandshowshowitglows .

• Instructorthentouchesthealligatorclipstoalargerbunchofsteelwooltoshowhowitglowswhereverthealligatorclipstouchit .

Apparatus for heating wires.

Gorilla sucking air out of the jar.

Steel wool glowing


Experiment Quick Recap:Experiment #2: Oil Lamps

• Studentsworkinpairs .Eachpairgetsanaluminumroastingpan,averysmall,shallowaluminumdish,anda3”pieceofshoestringwithwirethreadedthroughit .

• Studentsbendshoestringintotheshapeofasnakesoitwillstandupinthelittledish .

• Instructorsquirtsdenaturedalcoholintothealuminumdishandignitestheshoestringwickwithapropanetorch .

• Turnofflightstoseeitburn .Noticesizeofflameandhowlongitlasts .Turnlightsbackon .

• Givestudentsanewwick,addlampoil,andrepeatexperiment .• Givestudentsathirdwick,addCanolaoil,andrepeatexperi-ment .

• Canolaoilisverysimilartowhaleoil .• Askstudentstocomparetheresultsofthedifferentoils--sizeofflame,lengthoftimeitburned,whetheritsmoked .

Roasting pan with small dish inside.

Shoestring with wire inside.


Equipment List: “Burning Things with Electricity and Oil Lamps”Items needed for Instructor (“Electricity”):

• Boardsextendingthelengthofthetablesothatallstudentscanreachthecoppertubingattachedtothepowersupply(seenextpagefordetailedinstructions) .

• Wireholderapparatus(seePrepWork)• Wirescrubpad• FineSteelWool• Twosetsofalligatorclipswithconnectingwires .• Ceramictile,non-burnable,about8”x8”• Scissors• Cup,plastic,16-oz .

Items needed for Students (“Electricity”):

Consumables (per 2 students):

• Graphitefibre,about3inchesOther:

• Wireholderapparatus• Twosetsofalligatorclipswithconnectingwires .• Ceramictile,non-burnable,about8”x8”

Prep Work for “Electricity”:

• Setuptheboardsandpowersupplybeforeclassbegins(seepage5) .

• Assemblewireholderapparatusasfollows:• Use2woodenchopsticks• Cutaluminumtapethesamelengthaschopsticksandwrapitaroundsothesticksarecoveredcompletely .

• Attachanalligatorcliptothetopofeachchopstick .

• Attachthechopstickstoeithersideofapieceoffoamabout2”wide .(Thematerialusedinthevideoforthiswasamanufacturingcastoffthatwehadonhand .Apieceoffoamworksjustaswell .)

• Attachalligatorclipswithcon-nectingwirestothebottomofeachchopsticksotheotherendofthewirecanbeconnectedtothepowersupply .

Items needed for Instructor (“Oil Lamps”):

• PropaneTorch• Pipette• Scissors• Cup,plastic,16-oz .

Items needed for Students (“Oil Lamps”):

Consumables (per 2 students):

• Dish,round,shallowaluminumfoil,about2”wide

• Shoestringwith20-gaugewireinserted,3piecesat3”

• DenaturedAlcohol,2ml .• LampOil,2ml .• CanolaOil,2ml .Other:

• RoastingPan,Aluminum

Prep Work for “Oil Lamps”:

• Insert20-gaugewirethroughlengthofshoe-string,about9”perstudent .


Equipment List (cont.): Power for Electricity ExperimentElectrical power components:

• Boardsextendingthelengthofthetablesothatall• studentscanreachthecoppertubing .• 1/4”CopperTubingattachedtotheboards .• 24”insulatedConnectingWires,connectingtheboardsinserieswithAlligatorClips .

• 100-ampPowerSupply .• 30-ampfuse• Extensioncord

Boards with copper wires extending the length of the table, all connected to a power supply.

110-amp power supply.

Copper tubing attached to wood.

Connecting boards with alligator clips.

30-amp fuse.

Inserting fuse.

Attaching wires to power supply.

Story Recap: “The Darkened Castle”


Part 1:

• TheoldKingwantstofindsomeonetobethenewkingafterhedies .• HeasksJackandJilltohelphim .Theydecidetoinviteeveryoneandhaveacontest .ButEvilMisterFredisn’tinvited .

• Thecastleisfullofpeopletakingpartinthecontest .• EvilMisterFredsendshisminionstocreatechaosandmayhem .• Hegivesoneminionapairscissorstocutthepowerlinessothecastlewon’thavelights .Theminiongetstoasted .

• Theotherminionsgointothecastle,breakallthelightbulbs,andwhackpeoplewiththeirbaseballbatsinthedark .

Part 2:

• TheyusedJill’shairtofixthelightbulbs .• Peoplethoughttheattackwaspartofthecontest,sotheythrewtheminionsoffthetowerontheirheads .

• Jill’shaircaughtfire,sotheyhadtoputitout,andtheywereindarknessagain .

• Alltheyhadwereshoestrings,littlebowls,andabunchoffat .

Story Recap (cont.)


Ending:

• JackandJillcalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandorderedaflyingwhale .• Thewhaleopenedadrawerinhisstomachandturnedonfloodlightstolightthecastle .• EvilMisterFred,onhisvacuumcleaner,calledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandorderedahar-poongunandaimeditatthewhale .

• EvilMisterFredwasrightinfrontofthemoon,soJackandJillsawhimandwarnedthewhale .• ThewhaleshoneasearchlightrightintoEvilMisterFred’seyes,sohedroppedtheharpoongun .• Itlandedonaminion’shead .Theminion’sbaseballbatflewupandhitthebuttononthegun .• TheharpoonshotrightthroughEvilMisterFred’shat,whichwasgluedtohishead,andhegotcarriedawayanddisappeared .


Transcript: Introduction Okay,therewasaguy,let’ssee--hisnamewasTommy .Tommylikedtoexperimentwithelectricity .Helikedtoexperimentwithlotsofotherthings,too,butelectricitywasoneofhisfavorites .Andhediscov-eredthatifyouputelectricitythroughawire,thewiregetshot .Andthemoreelectricityyouputthroughit,thehotteritgets .Andyouknowwhathappensifyouputtoomuchthrough?[Students offer answers.]Itcouldexplode,butbeforeitexplodes,whatdoesitdo?Itcouldcatchonfire .Itcouldgetreallyhot .Whathappenswhenthingsgetreallyhot?Theymelt .Dotheydoanythingbeforetheymelt?Theymakesmoke .

Well,hediscoveredthatthey’llglow .Whenheputelectricitythroughsomewires,thewirewouldglowwithanicebrightredlight .Andhethought,“Wow,thatoughttobeusefulforsomething .”Theproblemwas,whenitglowedniceandbright,aboutasecondlateritmelted .Hesaid,“Oh,no .Idon’twantittomelt .Buttheremustbesomewaytostopitfrommelting .”Andsomebodyelsecameupwiththeideaofputtingitinajar .Ifyouputitinajar,andthenyouhaveareallybiggorillasuckalltheairoutofthejar--here’sagorilla .He’sdownthere,andhehasatubeinhismouth,andhesucksalltheairoutofthejaruntilthere’snoneleft .Andthenwhenyouhavethewireglowinginthere,thewireglowsalotlonger .Thenhediscoveredthatagorilladoesn’tdoaperfectjobofsuckingtheairoutofthejar,thatyouhadtousesomethingcalledavacuumpump .Andwhenyouuseavacuumpumpandsuckalmostalltheairoutofthejar,thewirecanglowforhoursandhoursandhours .Andhemadeoneofthefirst

practicallightbulbsbygettingagoodstrongvacuuminthereandchoosingtherightkindofwire .Youknowhowmaywireshetried?[Students guess.]Hetriedmorethanten .Hetriedmorethanninehundredninety-nine .Lessthantenthousand .Morethanonethousand .Morethanthreethousand .Yeah,fourthousand .Hetriedfourthousanddifferentkindsofwirebeforehedecidedthattheveryfirstonethathetriedwasthebest .Andhisname,ofcourse,wasThomasEdison .Hemadethefirstlightbulb .

Now,wewanttoreproducesomeofhisexperimentstoday,butwe’renotgoingtosuckalltheairoutoftheroom .We’rejustgoingtoputelectricitythroughsomethingsandseewhatburnsandwhatdoesn’t .Butfirst,weneedacrazystory .

Glowing Wire

Gorilla sucking Air out of Glass Jar

Part 1:

Onceuponatime,therewasanold,oldking .Andhehadabeard .There,he’sanoldguy .Andhefiguredthatsoonerorlaterhe’sgoingtodie,andtheyneededanewkingintheterritory .Sohewasgoingtohaveakingcontest .Helivedinacastle,andhesaid,“Youknow,ifanybodygetstobeking,theygettoliveinthecastle .Andtheygettotellotherpeoplewhattodo .Andtheygettogofightwarsandbecomefa-mous .”Let’ssee,ourkingwasstandingontopofaball .Andhesaid,“What’sthebestwaytochooseanewking?Shouldwechoosesomebodythatcanbalanceontopofaball?Orshouldwechoosesomeonethatcancilmbatreefasterthanotherpeople?Orshouldwechoosesomeonethatcansingsongslouderthaneverybodyelse?”Hethoughtandhethought,andhedidn’tknowexactlywhattodo .

SohecalledJackandJillandsaid,“JackandJill,howarewego-ingtochooseanewking?”AndJackandJillsaid,“Well,Isupposeitwouldhavetobesomebodythat’sverypatient,andsomebodythatdoesn’tliketokillpeople,andsomebodythat’sgoodatfightinganddefendingeverybodyifthereisabattle .We’regoingtohavetohaveacontest .”Andthekingsays,“Ooh,Ilovecontests!Weshouldinviteeverybodyinthewholekingdomforourcontest .”AndJackandJillsaid,“Yeah,that’sgreat .”

Well,theirkingdomalsohappenedtoincludeEvilMisterFredandhisowncastle .AndJackandJillsentoutinvitationstoeverybodyinthekingdom,tocometotheking’shouse .Andtheyweregoingtohaveacontesttodecidewhowasgoingtobethenextking .Andthefirstpartofthecontestwas,theyhadtotellagoodjoke .Andthejokehadtobesogoodthatitwouldmakeeverybodylaugh .AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Hey,Ihearthey’regoingtolookforanewking,andI’mjusttheguy .Theyshouldjustselectmeaskingandforgetaboutallthatothersillybusiness .”Theminionssaid,“Yeah,boss,youshouldbeking .Forgetthoseotherguys .We’llsupportyou .”AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Well,thankyouverymuch .Minions--supportingme .Whatwillcomenext?”

Well,EvilMisterFreddidn’tgetaninvitationtothecontest .Everybodyelsedid,butnotEvilMisterFred .Andhewent“Arggghhh!Thoseguysleftmeout!I’mnothappyaboutthis .”Andtheycamefarandwide,everybodywiththeirbooks


Story: “The Darkened Castle”

Old King with Beard standing on a Ball

Jack and Jill

Evil Mister Fred and his Minions


andtheirbrainsandtheirideasabouthowtorunthekingdom,andtheyallwentinforagreatparty,acelebration,andatest .

Sonowthecastleisfullofpeople,people,people,people,people,people,people .There’speoplealloverit,insideofit,there’speopleev-erywhere .Thoseareallpeople,likethat .AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“I’llshowthem .I’mgoingtomessuptheircontest .I’mjustgoingtoruinitcompletely,andwhentheyfigureoutwhathappened,it’llbetoolate .I’llbekinginsteadofthem .”

Well,thecontestwasslatedtostartatmidnight .Itwasafullmoon .AndEvilMisterFredwashoveringupaboveonhisvacuumcleaner .Andhetoldhisminionsexactlywhattheyneededtodotoruintheparty .And

EvilMisterFredhadhiscellphonetheresohecouldtalktothem .Andtheminionsarealldownheresaying,“Okay,we’vegottodothisfortheboss .We’vegottomakesurewedoeverythingright .”Hegavethemallnewbaseballbats .[Student: He should give them swords.]Oh,they’dcuteachotherinpieceswithswords .AndthenEvilMisterFredhastospendalldayducttapingthembacktogetheragain .Theycouldweararmor,buttheyclank

aroundalot,andtheyfalldownbecausethey’resoshort,andthearmorjustfallsoff .Theycouldglueiton .Minions,minions,minions,allovertheplace .

Soeverybody’sinthecastle .They’rehavingtheirjoke-tellingcontest .Theminionsaresurroundingthecastleontheoutside .They’vegottheirbaseballbatsattheready,andatEvilMisterFred’scommand,they’regoingtostormthecastle,climballoverit,smashthewindows,goinside,andcreatemayhem,chaos,andhavoc .Butfirst,EvilMisterFredhastoldthemin-ionstolookforthepowerlinesleadingtothecastle .Hewantstoturnoffalltheelectricitysothattheycan’tseeinside .Andtheminionssaid,“Oh,easy!We’lljustclimbupthosepolesandcutthosewires .”AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Yeah,youdothat .Justclimbupthepolesandcutthosewires .”Sohegavejustoneminionapairofscissors .Andtheminionsaid,

“Allright,boss!I’mreadytogo!”Heclimbedupthetelephonepoleandjustputthescissorsrightonthere .Kchunk!Nextthingyouknow--pooffff!--you’vegotflamingminion .Andtheotherminionswent,“Whoa,didyouseethat?Heburstintoflames!”Andnowtheminion’srunningallovertheplace,andEvilMisterFredhadtopourwateronhishead .Hesaid,“Well,maybethat’sabadidea .Minions,insteadofcuttingthewires,whenyougetintothecastle,useyourbaseballbatsandsmashalltheirlight-bulbssoit’sdarkinside .Andthenwecandothemayhemandthechaosandeverythingelsetomaketheirlifemiserable .”

Castle full of People

Evil Mister Fred on Vacuum with Cell Phone

Minions and Power Lines

Imagination and Brainstorming Time, Part 1[Students make suggestions](THEREARENOWRONGANSWERS!Whatevertheysay,youshouldreply:“That’sagoodidea,”“Theymightdothat,”etc .Afterbrainstorming,proceedwiththeexperi-ments,thenfinishthestory .)

Andwe’regoingtoleavethis“Tobecontinued . . .”


Well,partoftheirplanworked .Theminionsactuallydidsmashthewindows,climballoverthecastle,runaroundinside,andsmashthelightbulbs .Now,JackandJillareinthere,andtheyweresaying,“Oh,no!”Otherpeoplewereinthere,too .Theminionswereswingingtheirbaseballbats,whackingevery-body,alongwiththemselves .IfyouwereJackandJill,andyou’reinsideofacastleandthere’sallthischaosgoingon,andyourcontestisbeingruined,whatwouldyoudo?


Experiment #1: Burning Things with ElectricityInourexperiment,weneedsomeelectricity,andthisblackboxmakesjusttheperfectkindofelectricityforus .Theelec-tricityisnowon .Ifyoutouchthewires,willyourhandex-plode?Oh,weshouldtestitwithMisterMacfirst .[Instructor puts his hand on the wires.]Herewego .Aw,darn,myhanddidn’texplode .There’sonlyfivevoltshere,soit’sliketwoflashlightbatteries .Itcan’tgothroughyourskin .You’resafefromthat .[Student: Could it give you a heart attack?]Well,ifyouputitrightonyourheart,itmight .Butitcan’tgetthroughyourskintogettoyourheart .

Todotheexperiment,we’regoingtousesomethingthatlookslikethisandsomethinglikethis .It’sgotalligatormouthsatthetop .Ifyousqueezeitshead,itsmouthopensandcloses .Andthisonedoesthesamething .Wecanputstuffbetweenthetwoalligatorheads,lettheelectricitygoupthiswire,throughthepartweputinthere,andoutthatone .We’lltestit .Andwehavesomeunburnableplates .We’llsetaplateonthetableandgrabacoupleofwires .Andtheseguysalsohavealligatorshiddeninside .Theycallthemalligatorclips .Wecan

stickoneononeleg,andoneontheotherleg,andwecanclipthemontohere .Now,theelectricity’savailabletogobetweenthesetwo,butIdon’thaveanythinginthereyet .I’mgoingtotestthatapieceofwireonthereandseewhatitdoes .Forinstance,here’sascrubpad .It’sspringy,wiry-lookingscrubpad .Andthiskindofwireissothin,youcancutitwithscissors .Wecanclipitwithonealligator,andwecanclipitwiththeotheralligator,andthenwecanlettheelectricitygothroughitandseewhatitdoes .Now,withthatsizeofwire,it’sgettingrealhot--youmighthaveseenitsmoke .[To assistant: ]Wouldyouturnoffthelightsthere,andthenwhenImakeitshorter . . . .

Whenyouhaveawireonhere,youdon’twanttotouchitbecauseyoumightburnyourfinger .Youcanmakeitshorter .There,it’sshort .Now,youcanturnthelightsoff .[Wire glows and quickly burns out.]Anddidyouseethat?Youcanswitchthelightsbackon .Sothatwaslikealightbulbfilament .

Whenyouhookthemtogether,youcanjustletthemsitontheplatesoyoudon’thaveanyburningstufffallonyou .Andthenallyouhavetodoistouchthistothereandlettheelectricitygothroughandseeifitdoesanything .

We’retryingtoburnstuffwithelectricity .SoI’llbeturningthepoweronandoff .Whenyou’reready,we’llturnitonandletthemalltrytoburnup .Thenwe’llswitchthepoweroffandthenturnifbackonagain .You’regoingtobeworkingwithapartner,sositbysomeoneyouwanttoworkwith .Now,we’regoingtohandoutthese .Let’ssee,youguysareallset .[To assistant:]Youcanhandoutthetiles .Youguyscanusethose .Youguyscanputthealligatorson .Choosefatterwiresifgivenachoice .Someofthewiresarereallythinandshort .

Power Supply with Wires mounted on Board

Scrub Pad Wire between Alligator Clips


Thefirstwireisbeingpassedout .Itlookslikehair .Youcanputitbetweenyouralligatorsandseewhatitdoes .

Hookupyouralligatorstothecoppertubing .Goaheadanddoitnow--there’snopoweron .Hasevery-bodygotalligatorshookedup?There,justleaveit,justsetitonthere .Okay,whenEdisondidhisexperi-ments,hefailedthreethousandninehundredandninety-ninetimes .Doyouthinkthisisgoingtoworkorfail?We’llsee .Thepowerisnowon .Seeifyoursdoesanything .

Nowtakeyourpieceofhairystuffoutandtakeitapartanduseabouthalfofit .Takethehalfandstickitbackin .Okay,areyoureadywithhalfofit?Let’sturnthelightsoff .We’llturnthepoweron .Power’scomingon .Anyglowsyet?Noglowsyet .Youcanturnthelightsbackon .Anybodygotfriedwires?No?Now,MisterEdisonmighthavesaidatthispoint,“Well,thatdidn’twork .”Maybehe’dkeepdivid-ingitinhalf,anddividingitinhalf .Eventuallyyoucangetthistoglowalittlebit,butitimmediatelyburnsup .Sohemightsay,“Let’stryanewidea .”

Whatifhetookalittlebitofreally,reallythinwires .[Instructor borrows one of the students’ apparatus. A cup of water is placed on the table nearby.]Thisissteelwool,comesfromsteelsheep .[Instructor places a small piece of steel wool between alligator clips.]Youguysneedtomovebackaways .[Near-by students push their chairs back from the table.]Okay,turnthepoweron .Let’sdoitwiththelightsonfirstandseeifIgottherightamount .

Let’ssupposeMisterEdisondecidedtotrysteelwool .Yousee,thesteelwooliskindofsmokey .He’dsay,“Well,that’sclose,butnocigar .”Oh,westillhavesomeoftheothershookedup .Weneedtodis-connecttheothers .[Disconnects students’ alligator clips from the copper wires.]Wewantallthepowertogothroughthisone .So,heputsomeelectricitythroughhere--goaheadandturnitonagain--andhesawthatitsmoked .Andifhepushesitclosertogether,itglows![Steel wool glows brightly.]Turnoffthelightsforasecond .Andhesaid,“Ooh,that’scool!”Lightsonagain .Turnoffthepower .Sohesays,“Well,ifalittleisgood,moreshouldbebetter,right?”[Instructor puts a large piece of steel wool on the alligator clips.]Okay,turnoffthelights .Poweron .Sohe’sgoingtotryabiggerchunkhere .Ahhh!Whereveryouputelectricitythrough,thesteelwoolgetshot .Andyoucanburnit .[Instructor blows on the steel wool and it glows brighter.][Student: You’re adding oxygen.]Yes,whenyouaddoxygenitburnsmore .Okay,lightsbackon .Turnoffthepower .SothesearethekindsofexperimentsEdisondid .

[Places the burning clump of steel wool in a cup of water to extinguish it.]Nowweneedtofinishourstory,andwehaveonemoreexperimentthatwe’regoingtodoquickly .

Small piece of Steel Wool, and a larger piece.


SoEvilMisterFredgothisminionstogoinsidethecastle .They’reclimbingupthestairs,they’rehang-ingfromthechandeliers,they’rethrowingpotsandpansateverybodyinthecastle .There’schaosevery-where .Peoplearescreamingandtryingtogetaway .Butthensomeofthemsay,“Maybethisispartofthetesttobeking .Maybeweshouldbeverycalmandregalandpretendlikewe’reallkingsandwe’renotafraid,andmaybethenthey’llchooseusasking .”Soinsteadofscreamingandyellingandthrow-ingstuff,everybodystoodaroundandsaid,“Everything’sundercontrol .Oh,Ithinkwe’rejustfine .”Andtheminionsweretryingtohittheirtoeswiththeirbaseballbats,sotheyhadtodancearoundwhilethey’retryingtoactcalm .

TheyJackandJillsaid,“Weneedlight .We’vegottohavelight .”SotheytooksomeofJill’shairandtheyputitwherethelightbulbswere,andherhairstartedtolightup .Andeverybody,oncetheysawthelightandtheysawalltheminions,theysaid,“Removethosevarmints!Throwthemout!”Soallthepeoplegatheredtheminionsandthrewthemoffofthetower .Soit’srainingminionsoutside .Theseare

minionsbeingthrownoff .Luckily,theminionslandedontheirheadsandwerenothurttoobadly .AndtheyallranawayscreamingbacktoEvilMisterFred’scastle .

AndJackandJillsaid,“Well,wesurvivedthatone .”AndthenJill’shaircaughtonfire--poof!Andeverybodysaid,“Putoutthefire .”Sotheytookchampagneandsodapop,andtheypoureditonJill’shairtoputoutthefire .Butnowit’sdarkagain .Andtheysay,“Uh,oh .It’sdark .We’vegotnolightbulbs,we’vegotelectricity,butnothingtolightupwithit .We’vegottodosomethingbecausesureenough,thatEvilMisterFredisgoingtosendhisminionsbacktoattackus .”Andtheylookedaround,andtheyhadshoestrings .Andtheyhadlittlebowls,andtheyhadabunchoffat .IfyouwereJackandJill,whatwouldyoudotomakelight?

Story, Part 2 * DO NOT * present this part of the lesson until after the Electricity experiments!

Minions landing on their heads

Imagination and Brainstorming Time, Part 2[Students make suggestions](THEREARENOWRONGANSWERS!Whatevertheysay,youshouldreply:“That’sagoodidea,”“Theymightdothat,”etc .Afterbrainstorming,proceedwiththeexperi-ments,thenfinishthestory .)

Andwe’regoingtoleavethis“Tobecontinued . . .”


Experiment #2: Oil LampsForthisexperiment,you’regoingtoworkwiththesamepartneryouworkedwithlasttime .We’regoingtoputabigaluminumtubbetweenyou,andinthetubwe’llputalittletinyaluminumtub .Andinthelittletinyaluminumtubwe’regoingtoputsomeshoestring .Andtheshoestringhastobebentacertain

way .Herewehavespecialshoestring .Thisistrainedshoestring .WhenItelltheshoestringtostaythatway,nowit’sstayingthatway,[holds the shoestring in different positions]andit’sstayingthatway,andit’llstaythatway,andit’llstaythatway .Youcantellwhy,huh?Youseethat?Yeah,Ishovedwireinside .

Whenyougetyourshoestring,we’regoingtocutoffpiecesofitforyou .Andyougetapiecethatisaboutthatlong .Whenyougetit,youwanttobenditinsomewaysothatitlookslikeasnakestandingup,likethat .Andit’llfitinsidethelittlebowl .Andwe’regoingtopourstuffinthelittlebowl .Andwe’regoingtoimmolatehim .

[To the assistant]Sonowyoucanpassoutthebigtubsandthelittletubs .Ifthere’senoughbigtubs,oneforeverytwo .[Passes out pieces of shoestring.]Here,makethatintoastandupsnake .Makeyoursnakestandup .Yoursnakeneedstostandupinsomeway .Aslongasitstandsup,it’sgood .Nowwe’regoingtodrownyoursnake .Wehavealcohol .We’regoingtodrownyoursnake .[Uses pipette to put Denatured Alcohol into little tubs, then turns off lights and ignites

the shoestring with propane torch.]Wewanttoseeifalcoholisgoingtomakeanicelamptolightuptheroom .I’mjustgoingtobringalittlebitofflamebyandseeifyoursmakesagoodlamp .Isthisenoughlighttoreadby?Don’tblowonit,please .[Student: My fire’s going down.]It’sgoingdown?Oh,no![All lamps burn out in a minute or so.]Isyoursnakedead?Okay,lightsbackon .

Well,itkindofworked,butitdidn’tlastverylong .Let’stry[reads label]“GenuineCandleandLampOil--Odorless,Smokeless .Warning:Topreventfire,donotusethisnearflames .”Uh,it’slampoil .What’supwiththat?Takeouttheoldwicksandputtheminthebigtubofftotheside .[Assistants pass out new shoestrings.]Okay,putyournewwicksinthetubs .[Pours lamp oil into a cup and uses a pipette to put the same amount as before into the little tubs.]Areyouready?[Turns off light and uses propane torch to light the wicks. Flames are much bigger than the alcohol flames.]Remember,thisissmokeless .Thismakesnosmoke .[Student: Yes, it does.]What,areyoutryingtotellmethebottlewasn’ttellingthetruth?Awww .Doesthatgivemoreorlesslightthantheotherone?Oh,more .Well,nowwehavetoseeifitlastsaslongasthelastonedid .It’saprettybigflame,huh?Idon’tthinkit’sgo-ingtolastverylong .Wow,yoursisgone .Oh,look,someofthemarewearingout .Whichoneislastinglonger,thealcoholorthelampoil?[Students: Lamp oil.]They’reaboutthesame .Lightson .

Shoestring Snake

Adding Alcohol to the Small Bowl

Alcohol Flame in Small Bowl


Takethatwickout .We’regoingtogiveyouanewwick .Everybodyready?Okay,thistimewe’rego-ingtouseSunnySelectCanolaOil .Youuseittocookfood .Youthinkit’llburn?We’llfindout .[Puts canola oil into each little tub.]Sameamountasbefore,onlythisisreallythickstuff,soit’shardertosqueezeout .Sowewanttofindoutifthisisgoingtoburntomakelight .Okay,lightsout .[Ignites wicks with propane torch. Flame is smaller than the one from lamp oil.]Cookingoil--willitworktoseeby?Itdoeslight .Okay,doesitmakeenoughtlighttoseeby?Doesitsmoke?Now,wewanttoseehowlongitburns .Youknowwhattheyusedtoburnintheolddays?Whales .Theyjustputawhaleinyourcabin,lighthistailonfire .No,actually,theytookthefatfromthewhalesandtheyburnedthefat .Thisisprettyclosetowhalefat .Theyputawickinitjustlikethis .Isthislastingaslongasthealcohol?Isitlastingaslongasthelampoil?[Student: Way longer.]I’veburneditforaboutsevenminutes .Don’tblowonotherpeople’s!Idon’twantpeopleleaningovertheflamejusttryingtoblowonsomebodyelse’scandle .Isitstilllastinglongerthantheothers?Isthereanystuffleftinthebottom?[Students: Yes.]It’sgettingclose,huh?We’llturnonthelightstofinishthestory,andwe’lljustletthoseburnandseeiftheylast .Don’tbeputtinganythingelseintothem .

Lamp Oil Flames are bigger than the Alcohol Flames


End of Story * DO NOT * present this part of the lesson until after the experiments!Soallthepeoplewerestillintheold,old,oldking’scastle,tryingtobecomekingthemselves .AndEvilMisterFred’sfirstplanfailed .Ev-erybodygrabbedtheminionsandthrewthemoutofthecastletowerandtheylandedontheirheadsandranaway .SoJackandJillsaid,“We’vegottohavelightinhere!”SotheycalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandtheyorderedawhale .Aflyingwhale,likethat .Andthewhalecameflyingbyandsaid,“Whatdoyouneed,folks?”AndJackandJillsaid,“Weneedlight .Quick!”Andthewhalesaid,“Okay .”Andthewhaleopenedupadraweronhisstomachandputouthugesearchlightssohecouldshinelightdownonthecastletower .Andnowitwasreallybrightdownthere .AndJackandJillsaid,“Yeah,you’retheman!We’vegotlotsoflight .Nowwecanfinishourcontest .”

Soeverybodywascontinuingtotrytoshowoffhowgoodtheywereatbecomingking .AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Lookatthoseguysoverthere .Theygotaflyingwhalewithsearchlights .That’snotgood .”Sohe’supherewithhisvacuumcleaner,flyingaround,andhesays,“I’vegottogetthatwhaleoutofhere .”SohecalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandorderedaharpoongun .Andhewasgoingtohar-poonthewhale .Well,EvilMisterFred,notbeingtoobright,isrightinfrontofthemoon .AndJackandJilllookedupandsawthathehadaharpoongun .Andtheysaid,“Whale!Lookout!EvilMisterFred’sgotaharpoon!”

AndthewhaleturnedoneofhissearchlightsrightonEvilMisterFred,whichblindedhim .Ifyou’veeverhadasearchlightshineinyoureyes,it’sreallybright .AndEvilMisterFredwent,“Aaaaaaahhh!”Andwhilehewasscreamingbecauseofthebrightlights,heaccidentallydroppedtheharpoongunanditlandedonaminion’shead .Itwentcrash!Andtheminionwent,“Aaaaaah!”Andhisbaseballbatflungupandithitthebuttonontheharpoongun .Andtheharpoongunwentpshewww!andshottheharpoonout .Wheredoyouthinkit’sgoingtogo?[Student: Evil Mister Fred!]Yep .

Flying Whale with Searchlights

Whale shining Searchlight on Evil Mister Fred’s Harpoon Gun


End of Lesson

If y0u have questions about this lesson, please ask them through the online Teacher Support Forum on our web site.

ItstuckrightthroughEvilMisterFred’shat,whichwasgluedtohishead,becausehedoesn’tliketoloseitwhenhe’sflyingaround .AndEvilMisterFredgotcarriedawayalongwiththeharpoonandhishat,clearupintotheskyandjustdisappeared .Andeverybodylivedhappilyeverafter,exceptEvilMisterFred .

End of Experiment #2:Now,let’slookhereandsee .Hasanybody’sgoneoutyet?Thisoneisburninglikeit’snotgoingtolasttoomuchlonger .Thisonehasgoneout .Thisisstillgoing--itmightbegoingforawhile .Thatone’sburningwell .Sothat’stheendoftheclass .Ifyouwantto,youcanblowonitandmakeitgoout .

Harpoon Shoots through Evil Mister Fred’s Hat

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