Electrifying WebQuest: Nikola Tesla

1. Electrifying WebQuest:Nikola Tesla Presented By: Jennifer Gasowski

2. Introduction According to legend, Tesla was born precisely at midnight during an electrical storm. And throughout his early years he was reported as being very ill—hallucinating after seeing very bright flashes of light time and time again. This is where his inspiration may have came from. This may be why he is so ELECTRIFYING!

3. Tesla had a vision of electromagnetic fields that was real and tangible...

4. In 1867 Tesla filed for seven U.S. patents in the field of polyphase AC motors and power transmission. These comprised a complete system of generators, transformers, transmission lines, motors and lighting. So original were the ideas that they were issued without a successful challenge, and would turn out to be the most valuable patents since the telephone. • Tesla then took on his lifelong dream of harnessing Niagara Falls for electricity. In late 1893, his dream became a reality • In addition, he suggested that it would be possible to control the weather with electrical energy. He predicted machines that would make war an impossibility. And he proposed a global system of wireless communications.

5. Task • During this ELECTRIFYING WebQuest, you will be exploring the life and accomplishments of Nikola Tesla using the Internet to research, discover, and learn about him and his ideas and inventions. • Your objectives are to answer questions throughout the WebQuest in a typed format, and fabricate an invention and a patent proposal of your own.

6. Research, Design, Patent-Process 1) Research online who Nikola Tesla was, what he did, and why he is famous. 2) Answer the questions outlined in the upcoming slides in Microsoft Word in complete sentences and include the source you received your information from. 3) Work with a partner to design an electrical machine or tower similar to Tesla’s, be sure to include measurement specifications and materials needed. 4) Draw your tower or machine and label all of its parts. 5) When your blueprints are complete, write a patent proposal one page in length explaining what it does and who it would benefit.

7. First Question…Second Question • Was Tesla a healthy kid? How could his ailments have helped him in his genius? • What did Tesla’s father want him to become when he grew up? What did he want to become? • It may be helpful to use the following websites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ http://www.teslasociety.com/biography.htm

8. Now It’s Time to Design! • Using Tesla’s ideas as examples design your own machine, but be sure you also put it to use in a productive way. (Tesla wanted his to end war and control the weather.) • Some resources to help in your quest are below: Tesla Coil-This shows a simple machine and perhaps the basis of all of his ideas http://www.teslasociety.com/teslacoil.htm Nikola Tesla Page-this site includes links upon links to lead you into the direction of discovery. http://www.eskimo.com/~billb/tesla/tesla.html Tower of Dreams-is an entire site based around the successes and failures of Tesla’s towers, his dreams, inspirations, and ideas http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ll/ll_todre.html Edison vs. Tesla-both men were into the fields of currents and lighting, see where Tesla differed to keep your designs on track. http://www.leyada.jlm.k12.il/proj/edsntsla/hist1.htm

9. Next…. • Draw the design • Label the materials • Write a brief proposal for teacher approval with: -Purpose -Materials -Benefits • Write a proper patent Proposal For help, search patent or go to http://www.piercelaw.edu/tfield/seeking.htm#pre • Revise drawing and present

10. CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 Introduction All questions were answered completely and rationales for the answers were clearly stated. All questions were answered completely, but rationales for the all the answers were not clearly stated. Not all questions were answered completely, or greater than 2 rationales for the all answers were not clearly stated. All questions were not answered completely. Task All areas of the task were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought. At least one area of the task was not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought. At least two areas of the task were not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a moderate level of thought. The task is incomplete and/or it is apparent that little effort went into the development of the task. Process-Teamwork It is evident that a mutual effort and cohesive unit created the final product. The team worked well together, but could have utilized each other's skills to a better degree. The team had problems working together. Little collaboration occurred. The final product is not the result of a collaborative effort. The group showed no evidence of collaboration. Process-Originality The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a high degree of originality. The ideas expressed by the body of work are mostly original. The group may have improved upon a previous idea. The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a low degree of originality. There were no original ideas expressed in this project. Grammar, Format, Spelling The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had 1 error related to either grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Guidelines

11. Conclusion • This WebQuest has served as a key unlocking the unknown. It has offered a medium to research, define, and develop what a Tesla coil or machine is, how it works, and how to go about drawing or envisioning one. • In class we will expand upon the life of Tesla, watch a media presentation about him and his accomplishments, and learn about AC currents, electricity and magnetism. By using this WebQuest, background knowledge is now firmly in place.