Energy Labs-Build a Lemon and Penny Battery Earth Day Middle School Science

What is better the one lab about electricity- two labs!
Did you know that the citric acid found in lemons can interact with metals to generate electricity? This lesson explores the similarities between batteries and common household items
Great resource for Earth Day to teach about making electric
Students will discover the importance of electrolytes and how they contribute to the generation of electrical currents in batteries.
At the completion of this product students will be able to identify that energy can be produced by chemical sources.
Lab 1
Lemon Battery
The citric acid in lemons can react with metals, creating electricity? This lab explores into the commonalities between batteries and lemons.
By performing this lab, students will learn about electrolytes and the vital role they play in the creation of electrical currents from batteries.
Lab 2
Penny Flashlight
Instruct students on the fundamental principles of electrical cells. They will have the opportunity to create their own functional batteries and use them to power a light-emitting diode (LED). The materials for this activity are provided.