Powerful lessons at 4H Electric Camp

Three hundred rising seventh and eight graders from across the state of Tennessee are exploring the world of energy, electricity and the basic sciences at the 2014 4-H Electric Camp.  While visiting the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, 4-H members will discover the world of electricity by participating in various camp learning centers. These learning centers will be taught on Wednesday and Thursday morning, June 25 and June 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:55 a.m.  These learning centers provide “hands-on” activities where 4-H’ers “learn by doing.” This year’s learning centers feature:

Electric Lamp – Electric lamps give us light. In this learning center, you will take a lamp kit and some electric insulators and make an electric lamp that will bring light to your room.

Home Energy Conservation – We use electricity to light our home, cook our food, play music, and operate televisions. But as we use more electricity in our homes, our electric bills rise. In this activity, you will learn how conserving electricity in your home not only helps to lower your electric bill but also helps to conserve our environment.

Electric Motors – Motors convert electricity into useful work. You will learn in this activity the different parts of an electric motor and how electromagnetism makes a motor turn. You will also put to use what you have learned by constructing your own electric motor.

Electric Vehicles – Campers will learn about batteries, DC current and how DC current is used to propel electric vehicles. You will also demonstrate your driving skills by maneuvering an electric golf cart through an obstacle course.

Solar Energy – Renewable energy resources reduce the use of fossil fuels and negative impacts on our environment.  In this activity, you will learn about how you can use the sun to power things that you use every day.  Join us as you discover all about solar energy.

Electrical Safety – Electric power does a tremendous amount of work for us; but, because it is such a powerful force we must be careful around it. This learning center will teach you how to play it safe around high voltage power lines.

The 4-H Electric Camp is a joint venture of The University of Tennessee Extension; Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association and its statewide member cooperatives; Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association and its statewide municipal power systems; and TVA.