INTRUSION STOPPER

A WebQuest for 8th Grade Physical
Science

They say "Your home is your castle", but to you it is probably:

"My room is my castle!"

Have you ever wished that your brother or sister would stay out of your castle? Here is a fool-proof way to know when your castle is being infiltrated - a castle alarm system. Yes, you can design and install your very own alarm system for your bedroom. All you need is a little knowledge about electricity and circuitry. That's what this activity is all about. So gird up and get ready to protect your private domain!

Introduction

You come home from school and go to your room for some well deserved music. Upon opening the door you note that your CD's are all messed up and some are missing. Hmmm... you wonder what has happened. Your younger brother promised he would not go in your room again after he accidentally let your snake out of its cage, spilled grape juice on your new carpet, knocked over your speaker putting a hole in the front and getting peanut butter stuck in the keyboard of your computer. Mom even said she would uphold your wish and make sure he stayed out. You've had it. Something has to be done. You think....... An alarm, that's what you need! That pesky kid will really get a surprise when he opens the door again! But how are you going to alarm your room? Science, you think. You need a charge of electrical knowledge to get started. So here we go...........

Task

It is time to get to work. Working with one partner, you will first need to find out about electricity in general. Then you will explore different ways electricity flows from the source to the alarm. Next, each of you will design an alarm system for your own bedroom and draw the plan using real electrician's symbols. Then, if your parents will let you, it will be time to wire your bedroom in an attempt to keep it a sacred place for your entrance only!

Process

First you will learn about electricity in general. Each person will complete the following activities. Turn in all sheets you complete.

Grassroots
          Read through the information and take the quiz. Print your quiz.

Welcome to Electricity!
         Complete 1. Introduction and 2. Heat, Light and Motion.
         Print the following to use in this activity:
           Making Use of Electricity
                   The Day the Lights Went Out

Electrical Energy: Invisible Particles and Charges

Keep going to the next page until you come to: Journey Inside a Photovoltaic System

Use this sheet with this lesson: Project Sol

Together, make a poster, power point, model, or other display showing how electricity flows from one place to another.

Research how electricity is measured. See links below. Find out what amps, volts, Ohms, Ohm's Law and resistors are. Using three column notes, define and illustrate these terms.

Measuring Electricity 1

Measuring Electricity 2

You will need to know about electrical symbols. Study common symbols used to draw electric circuits. Draw the symbols on paper and hand in.

Electrical Symbols 1

Electrical Symbols 2

Electrical Symbols 3

Now you are going to get really charged up! You will now research the sites about different types of circuits. Complete all the activities in each site and hand in a summary of your work. The summary can be worksheets completed and/or a paragraph of the lesson's contents.

Circuits and Ammeters
Go through the lesson and complete "Try the Test Byte".
Simple Circuits

The Blobz Guide to Electric Circuits

Zephyrus

Next, make circuits your own circuits usig the links below, Draw out five of your successful circuits and hand in.

Ohm Zone

Circuit Challenge

Study about alarm systems others have designed.

How Burglar Alarms Work

Building your Burglar Alarm

Door Alarm

Alarm Circuits

Tiny Alarm

With your new knowledge, design an alarm system using the correct type of circuit. Draw the system using electrical symbols and also using pictures of your idea. You may use the programs in number 7 or you may draw them on paper.

Make a poster of your bedroom and an alarm that will warn you when you have an intruder. Use electric symbols for your alarm.

Evaluation

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Weight for Category	Score
How Electricity Works - Worksheets	Work not complete or incorrectly done.	Two of the three assignments were completed and/or corrections and help were needed.	All three assignments completed and most work was correct.	All three assignments completed accurately and with no help from others.	3x - up to 12 points available.
How Electricity Flows - Poster	Several required elements are missing.	All but 1 of the required elements are included on the poster.	All required elements are included on the poster.	The poster includes all required elements as well as additional information.	1x - up to 4 points available.
Measuring Electricity - Three Column Notes	Work is slightly accurate and/or complete.	Work is slightly incomplete or not completely accurate.	Work is complete and accurate.	Work is complete, accurate and neatly done.	1x - up to 4 points available.
Electrical Symbols - Drawings	Work is slightly accurate and/or complete.	Work is slightly incomplete or not completely accurate.	Work is complete and accurate.	Work is complete, accurate and neatly done.	1x - up to 4 points available.
Circuits	Two lessons complete and/or work not documented.	Three lessons complete and/or work not adequately documented.	All four lessons completed with work adequately documented.	All four lessons completed with work accurately documented.	3x - up to 12 points available.
Building Circuits	Circuits turned in not accurate or neat.	Less than five circuit drawings turned in and/or not accurately drawn.	Five circuit drawings turned in mostly accurately and neatly drawn.	Five circuit drawings turned in accurately and neatly drawn.	2x - up to 8 points available.
Bedroom Alarm System - Drawing in general	There are several erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, which detract from the drawing. Overall, the quality of the drawing is poor.	There are a few erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, which detract from the drawing OR color is not used carefully. Overall, the quality of the drawing is fair.	There are a few erasures, smudged lines or stray marks on the paper, but they do not greatly detract from the drawing. Color is used carefully to enhance the drawing. Overall, the drawing is good.	Lines are clear and not smudged. There are almost no erasures or stray marks on the paper. Color is used carefully to enhance the drawing. Stippling is used instead of shading. Overall, the quality of the drawing is excellent.	1x - up to 4 points available.
Bedroom Alarm System - Accuracy	Less than 85% of the assigned structures are drawn AND/OR labeled accurately	94-85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable. 94-85% of the assigned structures are labeled accurately.	94-85% of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable. All assigned structures are labeled accurately.	95% or more of the assigned structures are drawn accurately and are recognizable. All assigned structures are labeled accurately.	1x - up to 4 points available.
Bedroom Alarm System - Scientific Knowledge Gained	Work does not illustrate much understanding of electricity and circuits.	Work indicates relatively accurate understanding of electricity and circuits.	Work indicates a relatively accurate understanding of electricity and circuits.	Work indicates a clear and accurate understanding of electricity and circuits.	3x - up to 12 points available.

Conclusion

Now you should have a good understanding of how electricity works and a very practical use for simple electronics.

If your brother or sister set up an alarm system in his or her room, could you get in without tripping the alarm?

Last updated July 2, 2005

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page