Light, Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism

In the rectangle above, you will find the fundamental concepts and principles that underlie this standard. Below you will find a list of recommended "learning tools" for this standard. All links are in yellow, just click the link. Numbers are for reference only. Use our "Tell a Friend" feature, at the bottom, to send this page to a friend!

In this wonderfully engaging "learning tool" students interact with the concept of light and reflection. Students use mirrors to shoot a beam of light around a virtual landscape and then answer some questions about light. This "learning tool" is called How We See Things and is brought to us by BBCi Schools.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Light and Shadows. Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

PhET continues to be an amazing source of creative and elegant interactives. The name of this learning tool is called Circuit Construction Kit (DC Only). An electronics kit in your computer! Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take measurements with the realistic ammeter and voltmeter. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a life-like view. If you have Java, just click on RUN NOW. The main PhET site can be found here.

One of the most spectacular learning tools we have ever seen! The name of this extraordinary learning tool is called Launchball and has been produced by the Science Museum of London. Students love this intuitive interactive. Once they get to the site, have students select "Play the Levels", they don't need a code (they will for saving their work), then have them do the "Warm Up". This will teach them all they need to know to explore this incredible virtual world of electricity, heat, magnetism, forces, motion, and the conducting power of copper. Just incredible!

The name of this learning tool is Balloons and Static Electricity. Grab the balloon and rub it on the sweater, and watch the electrons gather on the balloon. Then bring it closer to the wall to see what happens. Just click RUN NOW when you get to the page. This is a Java applet. This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

The name if this ""learning tool" is called Gases Around Us (Solids Liquids and Gases). Don't let the main title fool you this is a wonderful virtual lab where students can heat and cool gases to see what happens. Only one computer in your classroom? The make sure to click the Full Screen button in the lower left to expand the image. Flash is required. The BBC continues to be a leader in groundbreaking web based learning.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Using Electricity. Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Changing Circuits. This interactive allows students to construct a working circuit and then let's the students view a circuit diagram. Only one computer in your classroom? The make sure to click the Full Screen button in the lower left to expand the image. Flash is required. The BBC continues to be a leader in groundbreaking web based learning.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Circuits and Conductors. Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

The name of this clever "learning tool" is called The Blobz Guide to Electric Circuits. Students learn all about various circuits and symbols used to diagram circuits. This wonderful interactive has been designed by Andy Thelwell. Sections include "What makes circuits work" and "Conductors and Insulators". Flash is required.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Magnet and Compass. This wonderful interactive allows students to "see the magnetic field as it influences a compass. It also provides a nice visual as our planet as magnet. Just click RUN NOW when you get to the page. This is a Java applet. This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Magnets and Springs. Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Keeping Warm. Students compare the insulating properties of plastic, cardboard, and metal; as a liquid cools. Students then build a data table to explain their results. Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

The name of this "learning tool" is called Geometric Optics. How does a lens form an image? See how light rays are refracted by a lens. Watch how the image changes when you adjust the focal length of the lens, move the object, move the lens, or move the screen. This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

This well done and elegant example of a "learning tool" is called Got Gas? (Electrolysis). In this interactive lesson from TryScience, students create a circuit to break down water and then they are able to explore even more with clever extensions like switching wires and increasing voltage. TryScience is a tremendous site to share the wonder of science.

Learn about the nature of light the way Isaac Newton learned! With this learning tool students can manipulate two simple prisms to find out what Newton discovered. the name of the tool is Newton's Prism Experiments. This "learning tool" comes to us from an elegant site for microscopy called Molecular Expressions.