In this hair-raising program, students learn about and explore electricity with the help of a Van de Graaff generator that will make a classmate — or teacher’s! — hair stand on end! We’ll learn how that happens with the help of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and how exactly you build up static electricity by rubbing a balloon on your head. We’ll build simple circuits, experiment with magnets, undertake some investigations of the differences between static and current electricity, explore insulators and conductors, and actually build a basic electromagnet in this electrifying hands-on station-based program.

Grade 3-5
Program Length: 1 hour
Capacity: 30

Science school programs align with Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core Standards, and the Massachusetts Frameworks. Specific benchmark information available by request.