Take Charge: RSC's Global Battery Experiment
Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: July 20, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Physics, Engineering
Authors: The Kid Should See This, The Royal Society of Chemistry
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video and activity from The Kid Should See This challenge students to build their own batteries out of coins and compare the performance of batteries made with different materials.
- The resource teaches students the importance of innovative battery technology to move away from fossil fuels and store energy from renewable power sources.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The simple activity of creating a battery can inspire students to solve problems through engineering and innovation.
- This video has a positive and hopeful tone in finding solutions for climate change through renewable energy.
Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the difference between renewable energy sources and fossil fuels.
- Students should be familiar with following directions in a step-by-step way to complete a design challenge.
- Teachers should gather materials in advance including a variety of coins and LED lights.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Before the activity, teachers can lead students in a discussion about where energy comes from to power their favorite electronics.
- If students do not have a background in physics, this activity can still be completed by speaking in general terms such as energy and power.
- Teachers can also explore this video about renewable energy.
The resource includes an experiment building a coin-based battery made from natural resources and how it could be modified and upscaled to drive renewable power needs for a carbon-free world. This educational tool is simple, illustrative, and perfect for the classroom.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
