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the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
supported by the International Business Machines
In this lab activity for Grades 5-9, students work in teams to construct a simple telegraph using a battery, wires, and a bulb. By turning the switch on and off, learners "send" messages using International Morse Code. Students then repeat the process sending identical messages on cell phones. Which group can send intelligible messages most quickly? What is the time difference between the fastest Morse Code operator and the slowest texter? The driving question of the lesson: How has society been impacted by the contributions of early pioneers in electromagnetism and its applications?
This instructional module includes goals/objectives, Power Point introduction, problem sets, student guides, recommended reading, illustrated procedures, worksheets, and background information about the engineering connections. This resource is part of TryEngineering.org, a website maintained by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Editor's Note: This lab activity does not mimic the actual design of the original Morse device, which used electric current to move an electromagnet attached to the telegraph key device. The purpose of the lesson is to give a fun and simple introduction to signal communications -- the Power Point presentation is especially engaging. Electromagnetism kits for two-station telegraph communication systems are available online for $25-35 per student group. See Related Materials for links to historical background on Samuel Morse and interactive animations of electromagnetic induction.
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)3. The Nature of Technology
3C. Issues in Technology
4. The Physical Setting
4G. Forces of Nature
8. The Designed World
8D. Communication
This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Electricity and Electrical Energy
Unit Title: Electricity: A Historical Perspective In this lab activity for Grades 5-9, students work in teams to construct a simple telegraph using a battery, wires, and a bulb. By turning the switch on and off, learners "send" messages using International Morse Code. Students then repeat the process sending identical messages on cell phones. Which group can send intelligible messages most quickly? Editor's Note: This lab activity does not mimic the actual design of the original Morse device, which used electric current to move an electromagnet attached to the key device. Its purpose is to give a simple introduction to signal communications. Link to Unit:
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![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=12305">International Business Machines. TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, December 4, 2010.</a>
![]() (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2006), WWW Document, (https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/).
![]() TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2006), <https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/>.
![]() TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now. (2010, December 4). Retrieved February 13, 2025, from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/
![]() International Business Machines. TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, December 4, 2010. https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/ (accessed 13 February 2025).
![]() TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2006. 4 Dec. 2010. International Business Machines. 13 Feb. 2025 <https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/>.
![]() @misc{
Title = {TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now},
Publisher = {Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {13 February 2025},
Month = {December 4, 2010},
Year = {2006}
}
![]() %T TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now %D December 4, 2010 %I Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers %U https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/ %O application/pdf ![]() %0 Electronic Source %D December 4, 2010 %T TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now %I Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers %V 2025 %N 13 February 2025 %8 December 4, 2010 %9 application/pdf %U https://tryengineering.org/teacher/electric-messages-then-and-now/ Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 2 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. TryEngineering: Electric Messages: Then and Now:
Is Supplemented By
Mag Lab U: Electromagnetic Induction
Interactive animation: induce a current by dragging a bar magnet back and forth inside coiled wires. Set the coil to 5, 10, or 15 turns and watch the voltmeter changes. (Includes text tutorial.) relation by Caroline Hall
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History of Morse Telegraph
Brief historical account of the 1836 version of the Morse Telegraph Key device with explanation of how it works. relation by Caroline HallKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
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