Take Charge: RSC's Global Battery Experiment
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Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: July 20, 2022
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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.

Subjects: Physics, Engineering
Authors: The Kid Should See This, The Royal Society of Chemistry
Region: Global
Languages: English
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.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
The Kid Should See This
The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.
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 →




