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Hand Crank Generator Kit - Cat# 80-50-W069

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80-50-W069
CA$6.65
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Power by Hand — The Hand Crank Generator STEM Kit

Bring electricity to life in your classroom — no batteries needed! With the Hand Crank Generator Kit, students can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy firsthand and power a bulb by turning a crank. It’s a compact, high-impact way to connect motion and circuits. 


What’s in the Kit & How It Works

  • A hand crank mechanism with gear or rotor assembly 

  • Wires and connectors to interface with a small bulb 

  • A bulb (lamp) that lights up when the crank is turned 

  • Teacher’s Resource Guide (accessible via “Additional Resources”) with wiring diagrams, lessons, and background info 

When students turn the crank, they apply mechanical energy (rotational motion). The generator’s internal wiring and magnetism convert that motion into electrical energy, which flows through the circuit and makes the bulb glow. No battery is needed. 


STEM Concepts Illuminated

This kit is rich with opportunities to explore foundational STEM concepts. Some key connections:

STEM AreaKey ConceptsClassroom Applications & Extensions

 

Energy & Conversion

Mechanical → Electrical → Light (and heat)Students can explore how much crank effort produces how much light; discuss energy losses (friction, heat)

 

Electricity & Circuits

Generators, voltage, current, circuit continuityStudents build and complete circuits to power the bulb, test how wiring changes affect output

 

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

Magnetic fields, coils, Faraday's law (induced voltage)For more advanced learners, you can discuss how magnets and coils interact inside the generator to produce current

 

Mechanics & Forces

Torque, mechanical advantage, frictionLet students compare how fast or how hard they must crank to light the bulb; try gearing or leverage modifications

 

Measurement & Data

Brightness, time, crank speed, comparative trialsStudents can record how brightness changes with crank speed or duration, graph results, compare different groups

Why Teachers Will Love It

  • Battery-free demonstration — simple, clear, and safe to use

  • Instant feedback — turning a crank and seeing a bulb light is direct and compelling

  • Cost-effective & scalable — easy to distribute across student groups

  • Flexible depth — for younger students focus on circuits and conversion; for older students delve into electromagnetism and generator theory

  • Teacher support built in — resource guide available through “Additional Resources” 


Classroom Activity Ideas

  • Power Race: Challenge teams to crank as quickly as possible and light their bulbs. Which design or technique is most effective?

  • Mechanical Advantage Experiment: Let students add gearing (or leverage) to see how effort vs. speed trade-offs affect output

  • Wiring Variations: Test what happens if wires are lengthened, resistance added, or connections loose

  • Brightness vs. Speed: Students crank at different speeds (slow vs fast) and record how bright the bulb is; graph output vs speed

  • Extension Project: Adapt the generator to power a small motor, fan, or LED strip; compare output under load


Let your students literally turn effort into light. With the Hand Crank Generator Kit, they won’t just hear about electricity — they’ll generate it, measure it, and understand its connection to motion.

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