Visit to the Science Museum: Deepening Understanding and Enrichment

During a field trip to a Science Museum, students will tour displays and participate in workshops which deal with electrical energy and the human body, with a focus on actions that require energy.

Format

Discussion
Scientific demonstration
Scientific/technological inquiry

Age

11-12

What

The possible connections with your curriculum

Biology
Engineering & Technology
Physical Sciences
Science

Who

The people who take up the teacher role

Informal education facilitator

Where

The locations where learning takes place

Science museum/center

With

The community stakeholders to collaborate with

Community services

Ready for action?

Resources

Human Resources

extra adults to facilitate field trip

Preparation

Prepare paperwork for off-site visit if necessary; arrange transportation for students.

Goals, messages & concepts

Specific goals

Deepen understanding of the scientific and technological principles related to energy.

Specific messages

When a current passes through a conductor, the conductor heats up.
When the temperature of a conductor gets very high, it ignites and emits light.
A thin wire emits more 'wasted' energy in the form of heat compared to a thick wire. This fact affects the choice of conductor wires for different uses (lighting or heating).
Our body uses chemical energy produced from the food we eat for everything we do, from thinking to exercise.

Main terms

electrical energy
chemical energy
conductor

Practices & skills

STEM practices

Asking questions and defining problems
Planning and carrying out investigations

Soft skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Management skills

Course of activity

step 1

Guided tour of an exhibition about electricity.

step 2

Guided tour of an exhibition about the human body, with a focus on actions which require energy.