Energy Efficiency

      » The Best Light Bulb
         Compare energy efficiency (i.e. electric consumption) and life expectancy of light bulbs (e.g.
         incandescent vs. compact fluorescent) - materials: light bulbs, socket, electric meter device

    » HVAC and Fuel Efficiency
         Compare heating (and or cooling) system efficiencies (e.g. forced-air, air-source heat pump,
         ground-source heat pump, basebaord heater, etc.) or fuel efficiencies - materials: efficiency
         information and/or BTU value of fuels

Electricity and Magnetism

      » Electomagnetism
         Construct an electromagnet and demonstrate its ability to pick up objects of varying weights -
         materials: magnet, wire coil, various objects

      » Self-generating Flashlight
         Construct a flashlight that requires no batteries (i.e. human-powered) - materials: magnets,
         wire, transistor, generation mechanism (e.g. squeeze handle, shaking, etc.)

Electric Generation

       » Food-powered Battery
       Construct batteries powered by various foods, comparing each battery's electric output,
          life span, construction cost and cost per kilowatt hour - materials: acidic fruit, vegetables,
          wire, LED light bulbs

      » "Hands-on Generator"
         Construct a "hands-on generator", a device that allows you to place your hands on an aluminum
         brass plate to measure the amount of electricity in your body (i.e. you complete a circuit by placing
         your hands the two plates); using this device you can compare the amount of electricity in different
         test subjects - materials, brass and aluminum plates, wire, DC microamperes meter

      » Self-generating Flashlight
         Construct a flashlight that requires no batteries (i.e. human-powered) - materials: magnets,
         wire, transistor, generation mechanism (e.g. squeeze handle, shaking, etc.)

     » Temperature's Effect on Batteries
         Compare the output of batteries at differening temperatures - materials: batteries,
         thermometer

Insulation

    » The Best Insulator
         Compare insulation effectiveness of different materials (e.g. cellulose, batt insulation, hay,
         styrofoam, newspaper, etc.); ice cubes can also be used to test this hypothesis - materials:
         insulation samples, thermometers, boxes

Renewable Energy

     » Manual Water Heater
        Demonstrate friction's ability to heat water using mixers (e.g. hand crank) - materials: mixer(s),
        thermometer, water, container

     » Solar Water Heater
        Demonstrate the sun's ability to heat water and insulation's ability to retain heat- materials: water,
        container, insulation, thermometer

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