Energy & Electricity

What is it all about?

The Energy & Electricity project offers opportunities for hands-on exploration of how energy is transferred and transformed. Build simple to complex electric circuits to understand how we harness energy safely and efficiently.

Electricity | Home Energy | Wind Energy | Solar Power

Grow in Your Project

Beginner

Learn about safety and equipment used in working with electricity
Identify tools and parts used in working with electricity
Wire a simple circuit
Build a compass
Build a flashlight
Construct a simple switch
Build an electric motor

Intermediate

Work with electrical equipment and tools
Build and test circuits
Measure circuit voltage
Develop a basic electrical tool and supply kit
Locate your home wiring system
Make simple electrical repairs

Advanced

Research the influence of electricity on society
Identify electrical and electronic parts and devices
Learn how to solder and prepare parts for assembly
Assemble a circuit using a transistor

Member Resources

cover of Electric Excitement helper's guide

Electric Excitement Series
4 levels (grades 4-12)

Explore a Power Park Series
3 levels (grades 4-12)

Power of Wind Curriculum
1 level (grades 6-12)

Free Downloads

Electricity Project Sheet

Project Leader Resources

Power of Wind Facilitator’s Guide
1 level (grades 6-12)

WearTec Facilitator Guides
4 levels (grades 4-6)

Electric Excitement Helper’s Guide
4 levels (grades 4-12)

Free Downloads

Fruit Batteries Activity (grades 5-8)
Electrical Science Activity Series (grades 3-5)

Take Your Project Further!

Take a field trip to your local power plant or electric cooperative
Explore fields of study and careers in electricity
Plan and conduct an electric quiz bowl or skill-a-thon
Contact your local power supplier for educational opportunities
Visit a local electrician
Visit a coal preparation plant to see how coal is processed for use by utility plants
Research the history of energy consumption in American homes
Host an electrical bingo game for your club

Applying Project Skills to Life

Enhance Your Communication Skills

Create a video about how to build a compass
Make a poster about closed and open circuits
Give a speech about the history of electricity
Demonstrate how to communicate in Morse Code
Give a speech about electrical safety to your school class, local community group or 4-H club

Get Involved in Citizenship and Service

Check friend’s or relatives’ homes for any electricity hazards
Conduct an appliance survey
Do simple repairs for neighbors and friends

Learn about Leadership

Organize a safety workshop
Plan, conduct and participate in an electric quiz bowl
Teach an electricity workshop

Showing What You’ve Learned

Build an electronic game board on the basic symbols used in electronic diagrams
Make a display about basic electrical tools and parts and what they are used for
Give a presentation on how electricity is produced
Make a poster on ways to conserve energy use
Build a homemade flashlight
Create a simple switch
Build a circuit with two batteries and a light bulb

Build an electromagnet, galvanometer or compass
Create circuit diagrams with explanations
Display a soldered connection
Create a display of light bulbs and the jobs they do best
Create a poster on how to read an appliance nametag
Develop a chart showing the electrical usage of appliances
Create a poster on how to replace a switch
Build a diode or transistor
Build a 6- to 8-watt amplifier with an integrated

Adapted with permission from Wyoming State 4-H, Project Information Sheet, Electricity. Retrieved from: https://www.uwyo.edu/4-h/projects/science-technology/electricity.html.

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