Introduction to electricity

Grade 7 Science

Content

• Electricity is generated in different ways with different environmental impacts

Curricular competencies

Questioning and predicting

• Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest

Communicating

• Express and reflect on a variety of experiences and perspectives of place
• Communicate ideas, findings, and solutions to problems, using scientific language, representations, and digital technologies as appropriate

Grade 9 Science

Content

• Voltage, current and resistance 

Curricular competencies

Questioning and predicting

• Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest

Communicating

• Express and reflect on a variety of experiences, perspectives, and worldviews of place
• Communicate scientific ideas, information, and perhaps a suggested course of action for a specific purpose and audience, constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions, and representations

‘Hydro’ is the Greek word for water. We’ve used water, like wind, throughout history to provide us with power and energy. The world’s first hydroelectric generating facility was built in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1882.

Facts about water and electricity

• Approximately 1.6 billion people around the world do not have electricity in their homes. 
• About 20% of the electricity used throughout the world is generated through hydroelectric power. This electricity meets 5% of the global demand for energy.
• In B.C., hydroelectric generating stations produce about 80% of the electricity used. BC Hydro’s transmission lines carry electricity from generating stations to substations. From there, electricity is distributed to customers throughout the province. These systems are interconnect with electricity networks in Alberta and the United States.

Electricity in B.C.: The big picture

“Introduction to electricity” shows students the role that electricity plays in their lives and the lives of other people in B.C. Your students will consider their use of electricity and imagine what their lives would be like without it. The goal is to have students recognize the value of clean, renewable electricity through reflection on prior learning, brainstorming, and a trivia game. Having your students creating their own questions around the topics that they are curious about will focus and personalize learning.

The activities for this lesson allow for assessment for and of learning, with a Know Wonder Learn graphic organizer that can be used and reviewed throughout the activities. Rubrics for teachers and students to assess group work are provided for two different activities.