Individual Students
Students may work individually on a kit. A student may assemble and conduct each investigation without the help of others. A student should be able to read the directions, assemble each stage of the kit and perform each lab investigation. The ability level and age of the student will effect the rate the kit is assembled and the investigations performed.

Groups of Students
Student groups of 2 with the Electromagnetic Fundamentals kit work well. Larger groups will work, but not as well. Students in younger grades may have trouble with some of the terms, but should be able to conduct the experiments and observations. Groups of 4th and 5th graders should be able to conduct all the experiments and answer the question in 2 to 3 one-hour work sessions.

A group may divide the tasks of reading, interpreting, and assembling the parts. The same group then works together to conduct the experiments, record observations, discuss the results and determine what was learned. Students will learn to work as team, reach an agreement as to the experiment to be conducted, the illustration or directions to be followed. The group students will develop an understanding of the vocabulary used in building the kits, conducting the experiments and explaining what was learned.

Working as a team, the tasks may be divided among the team members. Each time a new assembly step or lab investigation is to be done, the tasks may be rotated. As a team, the students should read, discuss then agree upon the assembly steps. The responsibility for the assembly should be rotated so all group members have the opportunity to work on and assemble the kit.

When experimenting, the group should read, discuss then agree on how to conduct the experiment. Students should share the responsibility of doing the testing and recording observations. After making and recording observations, the group should discuss what happened then reach an agreement of what was learned. The teacher or adult in charge should check the understanding of the group to ensure the correct conclusions were reached before continuing onto the next step or experiment.

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