Working with electricity | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Why are metal cables used to transfer electricity between different places?

because they are electrical insulators

because they are electrical conductors ✓

because they are waterproof
True or false? Most metals are good electrical conductors.

True ✓
False
Why are electrical cables in our homes coated in plastic?

because plastic is an electrical conductor

because plastic is waterproof

because plastic is an electrical insulator ✓
Why do we put electrical insulators around electric circuits and wires?

to prevent electric shocks ✓

to keep them tidy

to create colourful products
Electricity is ______ at power stations. This is another word for produced.

'generated' ✓
How is electricity generated at traditional power stations?

water is used to turn turbines

solar energy is used to turn turbines

steam is produced to turn turbines ✓

Exit quiz

Match the phrase with the definition to explain the difference between “doing” and “using” science.

tasks doing science

⇔

involve decisions based on scientific knowledge or understanding ✓

tasks using science

⇔

rely on the outcomes of science ✓
Match the phrase with the job title to identify which jobs “do” and which jobs “use” science.

does science

⇔

meteorologist – a person who studies patterns in weather ✓

uses the results of science

⇔

weather presenter – a person who explains the weather on TV ✓
Which of the following jobs are “doing” science?

growing plants to sell for food

investigating how waterproof different fabrics are ✓

choosing a fabric for a coat design

comparing the health of plants grown in different soil ✓
There are different types of engineer. Which of these jobs would be done by an electrical engineer?

design and develop programmes for computers

design and develop new circuits for appliances like TVs and mobile phones ✓

design and develop engines and machines
Which of these professionals would solve wiring problems, check if circuits have been built incorrectly and repair broken appliances?

an electrician ✓

an electrical engineer

a scientist studying electrical circuits
Which of these jobs would be done by a scientist?

design new systems to transfer electricity

find out which metals conduct electricity best ✓

fix a circuit when electricity is no longer flowing around it

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

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.

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.

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.