Some smart people at Microsoft and a place called PNNL found a new thing to use in batteries. This new thing could mean we don't need as much of something called lithium, which is what makes batteries work. They used a very smart computer to look at lots of different things and pick the best one. It didn't take them very long to find it. Then they made a battery that could light up a lightbulb.
Batteries are in lots of things like cars and phones, and they need lithium to work. But there might not be enough lithium soon, and getting it from the ground can hurt the earth. The new thing they found is really special because it doesn't need as much lithium and it can keep a lot of energy. Smart computers will help people find even more new things for batteries. This will help us have more power without using too much lithium.
Original news source: New material found by AI could reduce lithium use in batteries (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Give each team a set of vocabulary words related to the article. One student from each team will come up to the front and act out the word without speaking. The team members must guess the word within a certain time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word "batteries" on the board. Have the students take turns saying a word that is related to batteries. The next student must say a word that is related to the previous word. Keep going until you run out of ideas or time.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Give each student a piece of paper and a pencil. In pairs, one student will describe an object related to batteries from the article while the other student tries to draw it. After a certain amount of time, switch roles and repeat. Then, have the students share their drawings with the class and explain what they were trying to draw.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a set of vocabulary words related to the article on small pieces of paper and put them in a hat. Divide the class into two teams. One person from each team will take turns picking a word from the hat and drawing it on the board. Their team members must guess the word within a certain time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Discuss with the class the potential impact of the new battery technology mentioned in the article. Have the students work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm and discuss how this new technology could affect various aspects of their lives in the future. Each group can then present their ideas to the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
They found a new thing to use in batteries.
Lithium is important for batteries because it helps them work.
The smart computer looked at lots of different things and picked the best one.
They made a battery that could light up a lightbulb.
Cars, phones, and many other things have batteries.
There might not be enough lithium soon because we are using a lot of it and it is running out.
Smart computers will help people find more new things for batteries by looking at lots of different things and picking the best ones.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Some smart people at Microsoft and a place called PNNL found a new thing to use in batteries. This new thing could mean we don't need as of something called lithium, which is what makes batteries . They used a very smart computer to look at lots of and pick the best one. It didn't take them very long to find it. Then they made a battery that could light up a lightbulb. Batteries are in lots of things like cars and , and they need lithium to work. But there might not be enough lithium soon, and getting it from the ground can hurt the earth. The new thing they found is really because it doesn't need as much lithium and it can keep a lot of energy. Smart computers will help people even more new things for batteries. This will help us have more without using too much lithium.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a battery?
2. How would you feel if your phone didn't have a battery?
3. Do you like using things that need batteries? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it's important to find new things for batteries? Why or why not?
5. What is lithium?
6. How would you feel if there wasn't enough lithium for batteries?
7. Do you think it's good to find a new thing that doesn't need as much lithium? Why or why not?
8. What is a smart computer?
9. How do you think smart computers can help find new things for batteries?
10. How would you feel if there were more new things for batteries in the future?
11. Do you think it's good to have more power without using too much lithium? Why or why not?
12. How would you feel if you had a battery that could light up a lightbulb?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
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