EPI Science Kits
Empower Playgrounds Inc. is in the process of building a science lab for each school that has EPI playground equipment. The Thames and Kosmos science kits that have been selected match up with lessons in the Ghanaian curriculum. Before EPI provided science kits, Ghanaian students only read about the science concepts and experiments described in their textbooks. The latest addition of the microscope from Discovery Scope allows teachers to better teach lessons and allows students to actually see micro parts of the world and can be incorporated in several lessons.
EPI has included the following Thames and Kosmos Science Kits in our Science Labs program so far:
1) Motors and Generators:
Electric motors and generators are in countless devices, appliances, and vehicles we use every day. They are an essential technology in our modern world. With this kit, you can conduct 25 experiments to learn how an electric motor converts electricity into motion, and how an electric generator does just the oppositeāconverting motion into electricity.
2) Magnetic Science:
Conduct a series of experiments to learn first-hand how magnets behave and interact under different conditions. Make invisible magnetic fields visible using iron filings in an enclosed transparent box. Build an electromagnet to learn how electricity relates to magnetism. Finally, have some fun with what you have learned by playing some games with magnets. The full-color, 48-page manual guides your experiments with illustrated step-by-step instructions.
3) Solar Power:
Build your own solar-powered models and discover how solar cells generate electricity from light. Build six solar-powered models including a locomotive, single-prop plane, bulldozer, helicopter, backhoe, and twin-rotor helicopter. The special solar panel in this kit consists of three solar cells and generates 1.5 volts of electricity in bright sunlight, like a AA battery. A unique cradle holds either the solar panel or the battery, allowing you to switch out the solar panel for a AA battery (not included), depending on the strength of sunlight. You can even use the solar panel to charge up your own rechargeable AA batteries. The solar panel is positionable, so you can maximize its exposure to the sun to generate the most power.
4) Electronics – Learning Circuits:
These building blocks are specially designed to make learning electronics fun and accessible. Because the blocks are brightly colored and have unique shapes, it is easy to follow the assembly diagrams to construct functional circuits. And because the circuit symbols are printed directly onto the blocks, you can quickly become familiar with the symbols and learn how to read circuit diagrams.
5) Electricity and Magnetism:
Learn about electricity and magnetism, and how these two fundamental properties are closely related. Build series and parallel circuits to light up a light bulb. Experiment with push buttons and on-off switches. Conduct tests to see which materials are magnetic. Put everything you have learned to good use by constructing a loudspeaker, an electromagnetic relay switch, and a Morse code telegraph key.
6) Microscope:
Discovery Scope is an inexpensive, exceptionally durable viewing system for exploring small things. Its 1 inch focal length lens produces beautiful wide field, high resolution views of insects, worms, tiny plants and flowers as well as rocks, sand samples, and crystals. Special chambers and holders are provided for viewing both terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
