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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The Needham Free Public Library invited children six and up to an electricity workshop on September 19. As the participants experimented with plasma balls, circuits, and conductors, they underwent a transformation from curious kids to mad scientists. Kaela, the instructor from Mad Science, a national science enrichment group, facilitated the class with one particular goal in mind: to see what conducts electricity.
The students hypothesized and collaborated in small groups to perform each experiment, like constructing a simple circuit. Using a battery and alligator clips, the children were able to turn a tiny light bulb off and on. Once the children discovered how to properly connect all of the clips, Kaela challenged them by giving them another battery, one more bulb, and a switch.
Children collaborate on making circuits at the Needham Library’s Mad Science electricity workshop.
The young scientists chatted while they worked, with one group taking an interest in other science as they talked about the ancient Egyptians methods of mummification. Meanwhile, other groups talked about their favorite TV shows and school until they completed the experiment. As the groups finished the circuit activity, some students explored Kaela’s table of supplies and found balloons. She suggested they rub the balloons on their heads and use the static electricity to try to stick the balloons to the wall.
The class came together again to discuss their observation and discussed the differences between open and closed circuits. Kaela also used the time to review some of the material she hoped the children had learned, such as the meaning of a conductor and examples of conductors.
To end the class, Kaela helped the students make static tubes to take home. The kids emptied a packet of beads inside of the tube and put the cap back on. After they shook the tubes a bit to create static electricity, the children could watch the beads move inside the stick as they glided their fingers over surface of the tube.
Though mad scientist may sound more like a Halloween costume than a career for some of the children, the Mad Science program brought enjoyable and educational STEAM experiments to Needham’s youngest electricians.
