Third graders at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School recently had an electrifying class when science and gym combined.
PTA member and parent Jean Forti worked with
Cornell Cooperative Extension in Voorheesville to bring a special
stationary bike to Richard Holoday’s physical education class for three
days. The bike is connected to a circuit board so that the energy
created by peddling illuminates a row of light bulbs.
The bicycle gives students a visual example of the energy they create while exercising, and the rows of incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs demonstrate the difference in the amount of energy used to power them.
“We’re such an electronic society,” Forti said. “We flip a switch but don’t think where the energy comes from.”
Holoday demonstrated how the bicycle worked: When the circuit was connected to the incandescent light bulbs, he had to peddle much harder to illuminate them than he did when the circuit was connected to the compact fluorescent bulbs.
“We’re going to show you that it takes a lot of ‘umph,’” Holoday said.
As the students each took a turn, they got to see for themselves just how much energy is needed to light a bulb.
“When you are home, you might want to turn off
the lights, because it really does take a lot of energy to keep them
running,” he told students.
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