Energy Ball

SKU #SS-30

(48 reviews)

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$3.95

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All you need to safely introduce your students to electric energy.

Description

The Energy Ball is all you need to safely introduce your students to electric energy. This is a fun way to demonstrate open and closed series circuits without any danger of electric shocks! When the ball is "turned on" from inside the 1.5" ball, a red light flashes and a buzzer buzzes. Activating the ball is the fun part - just touch the metal strips with your two index fingers. Your body forms the conducting material that bridges the gap between the two metal strips and closes the circuit! Challenge the class to see how many students can make a complete circuit.

Read more on our Blog - The Energy Ball

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Reviews

48 reviews

great teaching device for hydration

Jan 21, 2024

This makes hydration clear and fun! The ball lights up and positively buzzes if you are hydrated, it can follow a whole line of hands held in the circuit! Get one!

Joan

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Really fun, but doesn't last long

Jan 27, 2022

I used these for my STEM class. After 15 minutes of use, 2 out of the 9 died. I have been looking to see if the battery can be replaced but no luck so far. However, my 5th graders absolutely loved them!

Mrs. Denise Cuevas

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Great for Small Hands

Jan 24, 2022

Kids have fun using it. However, I found the ping pong ball to be difficult for two older children (fifth grade and up) to hold at the same time. The ball is so small it is hard for two older children to each hold one end of the ball up and keep their finger on the metal strip WITHOUT touching one another's finger. If the two students holding the ball inadvertently touch one another's hand with their finger while holding the ball it competes a closed circuit. This defeats the purpose of the activity. Other kids in the circle no longer play a role in keeping the circuit closed. A larger ball or even better, a small stick shape object, would be a lot easier for older kids to hold.

James

Owner Response: Thank you for your review! For students with larger hands, you should consider the Energy Tube (OHM-350). Works using the same principle but is larger and does so much more!

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Simple eclectically demonstration

Nov 10, 2021

This is a good visual tool for learning about electrical circuits. Easily show circuits and opening them. Completely safe and inexpensive

Michael Wright

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Fun demo for my nephew and my classes.

Sep 7, 2021

I had one of these that I used in my classroom for several years, but it became damaged. Thought it was about time to replace it. My nephew loved to play with it when he would go to my classroom with me sometimes on the weekend.

Jamie Hamman

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Question

Jun 20, 2021

Are the batteries replaceable?

Suzy Pike

Owner Response: Sadly, they are not, but they do last for quite a while.

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Energy ball malfunction

Feb 21, 2019

I had ordered two of these as I was very excited to have found them unfortunately upon pulling out the strip before use, it broke and rendered the ball unisable. Glad I had a spare and was a huge hit!

Susan Orfanedes

Owner Response: We're so sorry for your experience with the Energy Ball. That certainly shouldn't have happened! A customer Service representative will be reaching out to either send you a new Energy Ball or a refund.

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Fun way to demonstrate electric current

Feb 20, 2019

This is a fun lesson for the students to discover how electricity passes through things (people). They really enjoy figuring this out. The ball is not real sturdy, but the cost is low enough you can easily replace it every so often.

Mary Ann Regehr

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Economical fun

Feb 11, 2019

The younger students really enjoy this energy ball. It is small enough to fit in their hands and economical enough to buy several.

Brandi Kirby

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Amazing Response

Dec 20, 2018

This is an activity not soon forgotten and 24 students and one teacher work together to close the circuit and then break it again. Great fun and learning.

April B

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Good when they work

Apr 29, 2017

I too, like other reviews get one that doesn't work. However, it has to be perfect to light up and it is never red. I use it as a team building and when it lights up FIRST it is great... but loses the teachable moment when it doens't and we have to readjust hands.

Ed Gash

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Bring light to your lessons

Jul 8, 2016

These energy balls bring light to your students understanding of circuits!

Sue

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50 50

Jul 1, 2016

One worked one didn't

Ed Gash

Owner Response: We're terribly sorry that you received one that didn't work. We'll send a new one out immediately!

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Great fun!

Jan 15, 2016

I ordered just one to see how it would work out and ended up ordering a whole set. My kids loved making a circuit loop with them.

Ann Manley

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Energy Ball

Oct 17, 2015

Items came quickly and work great!

Betsy

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Energy Ball

Oct 10, 2015

This worked beautifully. It exceeded my expectations, and the kids loved it!

K Smith

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creative way to introduce electricity

Sep 9, 2015

The energy ball is a wonderful way to introduce or review basic circuits. I have used them from 3rd grade to adults in GED programs and they work for all levels. I only wish the batteries lasted a bit longer.

Tom G

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Attention grabber

Jul 27, 2015

I do tutoring for dyslexic children and this was a treat that I bought for them. The purpose was to show them the energy flow in their body and how important it is to stay hydrated. You can't think and learn well if your body isn't ready to do the work. They loved the fact that they could take it and show their family and friends how it works. Everyone in the 'circle' has to be filled with energy to make it light up. A great incentive for a small price.

Marjorie Phillips

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Energy Ball

Jul 10, 2015

A great little device! One ball can be used to demonstrate conductance across dozens of people. I only wish that tariffs and import handling fees would not be charged at the boarder as these very handy devices cross the Canadian boarder.

Dave

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Highlight of my presentation

Mar 10, 2015

I use the Energy Ball every workshop I teach to show how (the minerals in)water helps our brain process information. It is always the highlight of the workshop - people's jaws drop!

Katy Held

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Energy Ball - great customer service

Dec 9, 2014

I purchased two energy balls - one did not work, and a replacement was received within a couple of days. They energy balls work great (will be used for talking about insulators), and as usual the customer service was great.

Teresa MacDonald

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Great personal attention

Nov 21, 2013

I placed a rush order for materials needed for a conference workshop presentation a week later. I received an email guaranteeing the arrival of the order. It arrived on time and as promised! I love the quality of Educational Innovations products but love the customer service even more!!

Terry Shanahan

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Science Geek

Aug 22, 2013

Great product! Fun for kids...and adults :)

Lisa Reid

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Energy Ball

Aug 12, 2013

These work great for illustrating electricity but also for demonstrating how we are connected as human beings.

Cindy

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Randy

May 7, 2013

I ordered and received 3 Energy Balls. Two of them work just fine, but the third one does not work at all. I am not willing to pay the postage to return it. I am very disappointed that a brand new product did not function, so I guess I am just stuck with a faulty product.

Randy Roush

Owner Response: We will send another energy ball out to you immediately. I'm sorry for the one that didn't work!

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Customer Success Training Manager

Apr 30, 2013

This product arrived as described and I am already using it to engage employees.

Kira

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Great!

Apr 2, 2013

Great product, fast shipping and best price I found online. I'm a corporate trainer and will use the energy ball to demonstrate teamwork.

Leah

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poor battery in energy ball

Feb 25, 2013

It would be nice if you check your items before sending, Especially overseas because refunding is not the best solution. I still want a energy ball but a working one.

UFUK ONEN

Owner Response: We apologize for the inconvenience, especially since your order was overseas. It seems we had a batch from our supplier that had a defect in the battery. We have pulled all the energy balls from our shelves and replaced them with a new batch. We are happy to refund your purchase, but because you are overseas, we are not able to send you a replacement.

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Energy ball

Jan 3, 2013

I ordered 2 balls - neither one worked. When I called to return them, found out my fingers need to be moist for ball to work. Suggestion - put that info on your instructions.

Lorene Sherman

Owner Response: We're sorry you had that experience, Lorene. To clarify, hands do not need to be moist for the Energy Ball to work, but if you have very dry hands, hand moisturizer will help. Electricity flows through conductors and will not flow through insulators. Very dry hands act more as an insulator than a conductor.

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Science Teacher

Oct 25, 2012

One did not work, but the ones that do are great.

Deborah Sitz

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PE Teacher

Sep 6, 2012

I use these with my fourth graders to help introduce "Brain Gym". They love it! I always give one away at the end of class. So far they have all worked when I have taken them out of the package.

Debbie

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Good quality

Aug 21, 2012

All of the energy balls I ordered worked well. Used them with young children and none broke! Loads of fun.

Donna

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Energy

May 29, 2012

The energy ball is a great hands on activity that demonstrate the properties of a open and closed circuit. I have used this product for a few years now in my science class. I recently took it a step further and took it to my principals retirement party and it was a for sure crowd pleaser. I showed how energy is never created or destroyed only transferred.

Terrill Ridgell

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Small but powerful

May 25, 2012

This little ball has the power to introduce big concepts. I love to use it in my workshops to demonstrate hands on learning with large groups....great product!

Christine Munro

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We made energy!

May 24, 2012

Great demonstrational tool that makes students wonder. The ball can be sued to teach about circuits and especially energy, energy transfers, and energy conversions. I found the greatest value in excite students, make theming the students about science and to make them wonder.

Christina Bromme

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Open Circuit/Closed Circuit

May 24, 2012

I use the UFO ball as the engage activity for my unit on electricity and magnetism. It is great to introduce open circuit - closed circuit and makes a great guided inquiry lesson!

Betty Bigney

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PHS Teacher

May 22, 2012

I used this wonderful energy ball to introduce the concept of electrical conductivity to my students. We all got in a big circle and touched hands. Two of the students placed fingers (works better if their fingers are damp) on the energy ball and we completed a human circuit! A lot of WOW! in this activity. I love it! I gave a couple away as door prizes that day.

Diana Latta

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Circuits made simple

May 22, 2012

Students always get a kick out of this demo!

Jedon

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Teacher

May 22, 2012

These are awesome. I have my students use them to test if something is a conductor or insulator. They never get tired of trying new things! I also use them to show open and closed circuits as well as parallel and series circuits. The uses are endless and so is the fun.

Priscilla Stringfellow

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Energy balls are awesome!

May 22, 2012

I have used the energy balls in the science course that I teach to primary/junior teacher candidates at Queen's University. They are an excellent visual way to demonstrate circuits. I have used the balls to make series circuits with my class (40 students!), and also to demonstrate parallel circuits.

Terry Bridges

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8th Grade Science Teacher

May 22, 2012

Students love this activity. I put the whole class in a circle and touch finger tips. The students really understand a series circuit after.

Linda Guillory

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Energy Sphere

May 19, 2012

I use the energy ball/sphere to introduce electricity & circuits with my fifth-grade students. It makes a great hook to reel them in - students are always amazed when everyone in the class can cause the sphere to light up & make sound.

Teresa Nichols

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Students LOVED this

May 17, 2012

My students were mesmerized by this product when we were studying and experimenting with the transfer of electricity and conductors.

Debbie

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Excellent product

May 16, 2012

I have 2 of these energy balls and they are excellent in teaching how electricity flow and teaching the morse alphabet.

Angela Margareta Ionescu

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Quick

May 16, 2012

I use it with struggling students to let them figure out how this circuit is completed.

Debbie Brown

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VALUE

May 16, 2012

For $3.95 you can teach a K-5th grade class about an open or closed circuit! This product is worth every penny.

Tami Eggensperger

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Physics Teachers Loves This!

May 16, 2012

By closing the circuit the ball lights up and emits an eerie sound. Great at the beginning of the year to show how a large circle of students are all "connected" in their learning of physics! And later, during demos on electricity. Great toy, great physics!

Richard Godbey

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Great Product

May 1, 2012

I love using this to teach open and closed circuits.

Jason Lindsey

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NGSS

This product will support your students' understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), as shown in the table below.

Elementary

Middle School

High School

4-PS3-4

Students can use the Energy Ball to apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

ETS1.A

Different proposals for solutions can be compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria.

ETS1.B

A solution needs to tested, and then modified on the basis of the test results in order to improve it.

HS-PS4-1

The Energy Ball can be used to develop and model how two objects interacting through electric fields, illustrates the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction.

Suggested Science Idea(s)

MS-PS3-5

Energy may take different forms.

4-PS3-4

Use the Energy Ball to test open and closed circuits or test conductors and insulators.

* NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.

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Energy Ball

NGSS

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