Activity Overview
In this activity, students will create a timeline that demonstrates their understanding of how ideas about electricity have changed. This is a great way to look at how the scientific method works in the real world. You can highlight how science needs scientists to collaboratively work together to share findings to further human understanding as well as how scientific discoveries can directly benefit the human race and lead to important inventions. Students should aim to select at least six of these contributors to include in their timeline.
Important People in the History of Electricity
- Thales of Miletus (624-546 BC)
- William Gilbert (1544-1603)
- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
- Thomas Seebeck (1770-1831)
- Joseph Priestley (1773-1804)
- Henry Cavendish (1731-1810)
- Charles de Coulomb (1736-1806)
- Luigi Galvani (1737-1798)
- Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
- André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836)
- Humphry Davy (1778-1829)
- Georg Ohm (1789-1854)
- Daniell Cell (1790-1845)
- Michael Faraday (1971-1867)
- Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875)
- Joseph Swan (1828-1914)
- James Wimshurst (1832-1903)
- Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
- Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
- Joseph John Thomson (1856-1940)
- Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)
- Willem Einthoven (1860-1927)
- Robert Van De Graaff (1901-1967)
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students do more in depth research into one of the scientists of their choosing and create a biography poster that details their life and their important contributions to science. Students can present their work to the class in a regular presentation format, or they can be hung in the room for a gallery walk!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline that demonstrates your understanding of how and why ideas of electricity have changed over time
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells as needed.
- Choose six people or moments in the history of science that you think are the most important in our understanding of electricity.
- Write a title and the year for these six moments using the timeline.
- Illustrate the moment with a cell using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a couple of sentences to describe the moment and why it is important.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentences | All the cells are clearly described with details of the significance of the milestone. | All the cells are clearly described. | Some cells are described |
| Visualization | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate all five of the chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate some of the five chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells does not clearly any of the five chosen historical moments. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
In this activity, students will create a timeline that demonstrates their understanding of how ideas about electricity have changed. This is a great way to look at how the scientific method works in the real world. You can highlight how science needs scientists to collaboratively work together to share findings to further human understanding as well as how scientific discoveries can directly benefit the human race and lead to important inventions. Students should aim to select at least six of these contributors to include in their timeline.
Important People in the History of Electricity
- Thales of Miletus (624-546 BC)
- William Gilbert (1544-1603)
- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
- Thomas Seebeck (1770-1831)
- Joseph Priestley (1773-1804)
- Henry Cavendish (1731-1810)
- Charles de Coulomb (1736-1806)
- Luigi Galvani (1737-1798)
- Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
- André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836)
- Humphry Davy (1778-1829)
- Georg Ohm (1789-1854)
- Daniell Cell (1790-1845)
- Michael Faraday (1971-1867)
- Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875)
- Joseph Swan (1828-1914)
- James Wimshurst (1832-1903)
- Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
- Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
- Joseph John Thomson (1856-1940)
- Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)
- Willem Einthoven (1860-1927)
- Robert Van De Graaff (1901-1967)
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students do more in depth research into one of the scientists of their choosing and create a biography poster that details their life and their important contributions to science. Students can present their work to the class in a regular presentation format, or they can be hung in the room for a gallery walk!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline that demonstrates your understanding of how and why ideas of electricity have changed over time
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Add additional cells as needed.
- Choose six people or moments in the history of science that you think are the most important in our understanding of electricity.
- Write a title and the year for these six moments using the timeline.
- Illustrate the moment with a cell using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a couple of sentences to describe the moment and why it is important.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sentences | All the cells are clearly described with details of the significance of the milestone. | All the cells are clearly described. | Some cells are described |
| Visualization | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate all five of the chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells clearly illustrate some of the five chosen historical moments. | The storyboard cells does not clearly any of the five chosen historical moments. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Milestones in the History of Electricity
Organize a classroom gallery walk to showcase student electricity timelines
Transform your classroom into an interactive museum by displaying student timeline projects around the room. Invite students to walk around, observe each other's work, and leave positive feedback on sticky notes. This approach encourages peer learning, builds presentation skills, and celebrates everyone's effort!
Set clear expectations for gallery walk participation
Before beginning, explain the purpose and behavior expectations for the gallery walk. Let students know how to give respectful, specific feedback and how long to spend at each display.
Prepare feedback materials for peer review
Provide sticky notes, feedback forms, or digital comment tools so students can easily leave thoughtful comments at each station. This helps students practice constructive criticism while boosting confidence among presenters.
Guide students in rotating through displays methodically
Organize students into small groups and assign them a starting display. After a set time, signal when to rotate. This ensures every timeline gets attention and the walk flows smoothly.
Facilitate a reflection discussion after the gallery walk
Gather the class and invite students to share what inspired them or something new they learned from their peers' timelines. This reinforces key concepts and fosters a sense of community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Milestones in the History of Electricity
What are the most important milestones in the history of electricity for students to know?
Key milestones in the history of electricity include discoveries by Thales of Miletus, Benjamin Franklin's experiments with lightning, Alessandro Volta's invention of the battery, and Thomas Edison's development of the light bulb. These breakthroughs helped shape our understanding and use of electricity today.
How can students create a timeline of electricity’s history in a classroom setting?
Students can create a timeline by selecting six significant people or events, adding titles and years, illustrating each moment, and writing brief descriptions. This can be done digitally or as a poster for presentations or gallery walks.
Who are some key scientists who contributed to our understanding of electricity?
Important scientists in electricity include William Gilbert, Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, Michael Faraday, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison. Each made vital discoveries or inventions that advanced electrical science.
What is the benefit of using a timeline activity to teach about electricity’s history?
A timeline activity helps students visualize how scientific ideas evolved, understand the collaborative nature of science, and see how discoveries lead to real-world inventions that benefit society.
What are some creative alternatives to a traditional timeline for teaching about electricity?
Alternatives include making a timeline poster for a gallery walk, creating biography posters of scientists, or using multiple templates to give students options for presenting their research.
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