It's a Wired World Print1234567891011
- Substations are a crucial link in the electricity distribution network. Electricity from many different power plants comes into a substation. The voltage level is stepped down, and the electricity is distributed from the substation to homes, schools, and businesses.
- Be sure students understand that substations do not actually generate electricity, even though in the shoebox cabin network, the batteries are located in the substations. Electricity is generated at the power plants.
Getting It Across
Have teams read the information and follow the steps on the page. Have teams show each other the path that electricity follows in each cabin. When the shoebox cabin network is complete, ask students to trace the path of electricity from the power plant through the cabins and back again.
Did They Get It?
Are students able to
- successfully draw the electrical circuit for the cabin and transfer the drawing to the model?
- wire the cabins together into a network?
- identify the hazards of substations and make appropriate signage to warn people away?
- identify the power plant as the source of electricity, and trace the circuit electricity travels from the power plant to the substation to the cabins and back again?
PAGES 12-13
Main Ideas
Appropriate behavior in electrical emergencies is counterintuitive. Instead of rushing in to help, everyone must be certain that the source of electricity is no longer live. Otherwise, the would-be rescuer will also be shocked.
Objectives
Students will
- practice research and interview skills.
- analyze information to find the cause of an electrical accident.
- identify bodily effects of contact with electricity.
- apply their knowledge of circuits to explain how to prevent electrical accidents and how to behave in situations involving downed power lines and other electrical hazards.
What You Need to Know
Page 13: This is an introduction to the idea that other people may not be able to help someone trapped in a car with a power line on it. The best help onlookers can be is to call 911 or the local emergency number. Students may think that if a person is already shocked or burned, the danger is over. But if the source of electricity is still live and near or touching the victim, the situation could be deadly for someone who approaches too closely.
Getting It Across
Page 12: Have teams read the information and research their topics. As teams share their stories with the class, ask the class to identify how the accident happened, how electricity affected the body (if possible), and how the accident could have been prevented.
Page 13: Have students read the information on the page. Ask them why the best help might be to stay away from someone who has been shocked or burned. (Because the helper could become part of electricity’s path and also get hurt.) Ask students to name the steps to take in the event of an electrical emergency. (1. Stay away from the person who is hurt. 2. Tell an adult to turn off the power at the circuit box. 3. Call for help.) Ask students why no one should use water to put out an electrical fire. (Because water conducts electricity. The person dousing the flames could be shocked as electricity travels through the stream of water, or water could spread out in a pool from the victim and the source of electricity and hurt anyone standing in that water.)