Union-Endicott sixth grade students at Ann McGuinness Intermediate School are working with Binghamton University engineering students this week to build ultra-simple electric generators in their technology classes.
The generators are made from a hollow-ended wooden box with a nail through the center.
Magnets are attached to the nail, which has thin copper wire spooled around it.
Once the nail and magnets are spun fast by hand, the box generates enough electricity to light a small incandescent light bulb.
AGM Technology Teacher Jason Howes and his students are working with Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society chapter from BU.
The students volunteer their time to visit local classes and teach basic engineering principles to K-12 students.
The BU students helped U-E trainees build mousetrap-powered cars back in February.
