What do socks, light bulbs and bicycles have in common? All these materials can teach students about electricity.

Co-ops in the Classroom is offered by Central Electric ’s wholesale power provider, East River Electric Power Cooperative. Jennifer Gross, Communications Coordinator for East River, visited 15 schools in the local area.

A variety of hands-on demonstrations engages the students. A Van de Graaff generator demonstrated the movement of electrons with some hair-raising results. 
Another device that invokes a lot of excitement is the Pedal Power bicycle generator. Students are asked to become power plants as they provide the energy that produces electricity for lights and small household devices. 

“The Pedal Power turns the concept of electricity from something abstract into something tangible. By providing the energy needed to make a light bulb turn on, the students are able to quantify just how much more energy an incandescent light bulb requires than a CFL or LED,” said Gross. 

By the end of the presentation, students developed a new understanding and appreciation for electricity. 

On March 19, students had an additional opportunity to see “Power Town,” a tabletop electric safety demonstration, at “Ag in in the Classroom” in Pukwana and Mitchell. 

Mitchell Foreman Tim Harrington and Manager of Member Services/Marketing Patrick Soukup taught students the importance of respecting overhead and underground power lines, calling 811 before any digging project, and what to do if you contact a power line in your tractor or vehicle.