Working with electricity
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe different careers associated with electricity.
Key learning points
- There are many jobs that use the results of scientists and engineers to help them carry out their work.
- Electrical engineers carry out tests to design new circuits for electrical appliances.
- Electricians solve wiring problems, check if circuits have been built incorrectly and repair broken appliances.
Keywords
Science - Science is the study of the natural and human-made world, including how and why things happen.
Scientist - A scientist is a person who learns about science and carries out enquiries.
Engineer - An engineer is a person who designs, tests and builds things.
Findings - The findings of a test or enquiry is another way to describe the results of a test or enquiry or what was found out.
Electrician - An electrician solves wiring problems, checks if circuits have been built incorrectly and repairs broken appliances.
Common misconception
Jobs which use the results of science are science jobs. Electrical engineers and electricians are both scientists because they use the results of science in their work.
Children will be taught the difference between doing and using science within the context of a range of jobs.
Teacher tip
Encourage children to think about the difference between “doing” science and “using” the results of science in work.
Equipment
It would be wonderful opportunity for children to speak to a real electrical engineer and electrician. They could write their own questions to interview them and find out even more.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why are metal cables used to transfer electricity between different places?
Q2.True or false? Most metals are good electrical conductors.
Q3.Why are electrical cables in our homes coated in plastic?
Q4.Why do we put electrical insulators around electric circuits and wires?
Q5.Electricity is at power stations. This is another word for produced.
Q6.How is electricity generated at traditional power stations?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the phrase with the definition to explain the difference between “doing” and “using” science.
involve decisions based on scientific knowledge or understanding
rely on the outcomes of science
Q2.Match the phrase with the job title to identify which jobs “do” and which jobs “use” science.
meteorologist
weather presenter
School pupil
Q3.Which of the following jobs are “doing” science?
Q4.There are different types of engineer. Which of these jobs would be done by an electrical engineer?
Q5.Which of these professionals would solve wiring problems, check if circuits have been built incorrectly and repair broken appliances?
Q6.Which of these jobs would be done by a scientist?
To help you plan your 4 science lesson on: Working with electricity, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 science lesson on: Working with electricity, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Simple electrical circuits unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.