Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics {Review & Activities}

One of the best ways to approach science in the younger years is by reading biographies and experimenting. This foundation spurs a curiosity about science and keeps that interest high until the math necessary for formal science studies catches up. There are several excellent scientific biographies available, one of which is Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics by Charles Ludwig.

Faraday had characteristics shared by many scientists: an insatiable curiosity, a tenacity to get to the bottom of a thing, and an indefatigable spirit that refuses to give up.

He didn’t exactly get off to a brilliant start. His mother removed him from the school he attended after becoming aware of how unmercifully the teacher ridiculed him because of a stutter and his inability to pronounce the letter r — rather tough when your last name is Faraday! This was only one of the beginning challenges Michael Faraday faced and conquered.

Through viewing the world as his school, Faraday continually asked questions and sought answers from those who would take the time to explain. In being apprenticed as a bookbinder he also absorbed knowledge from as many books as he could get his hands on — falling fast on a discarded Encyclopedia Britannica that was filled with experiments to try.

He attended lectures at the Royal Institute, taking copious notes. One thing led to another and his relationship with Sir Humphry Davy, the President of the Royal Society, was established. Working alongside Sir Humphry was the springboard for Faraday’s own scientific career and all that followed.

Despite the fact that Faraday had very little formal school training, his own lectures were packed with people who sat spellbound as he explained complicated concepts in terms they could understand. Even Queen Victoria requested his audience!

Charles Ludwig has written many Christian biographies. The son of missionary parents in Kenya, he read the entire World Book Encyclopedia, and devoured all of the books on electricity he could find. He manufactured his own batteries, wound his own coils, and contrived enough power to operate his own radio station. His joy of science clearly shines through the book — in spirit, asides, the inclusion of many of Faraday’s contemporaries, and footnotes.

Besides his significant scientific achievements and contributions, Michael Faraday was a humble, godly man, choosing to live his life by God’s precepts. From Faraday’s life we can all learn that a truly great man is a truly humble man!

Suggestions

Like most scientists, Faraday’s range of knowledge overflowed subject boundaries. While electricity was always at the forefront, his knowledge of chemistry was more prominent at the beginning. Make a list of Faraday’s areas of study.
Read The Chemical History of a Candle, a book that was written from Faraday’s lectures to a younger audience.
Create a character study for Faraday using one of the resources below.
Learn more about the other scientists mentioned in the book.
Experiment! You’ll find resources below.
Create an author page for Charles Ludwig. Find another book by Charles Ludwig to read and add to your list.

Further Investigation

Michael Faraday
Great biography at RobinsonLibrary.com.

Electromagnetic Induction
More about the theory that bears Faraday’s name.

Activities

Character Sketch
Ideas for writing a character sketch of Faraday.

Make an Electromagnet
Simple experiment from ScienceBob.com

Electricity
Boy Scout merit badge workbook.

Unit Studies & Lesson Plans

Free Science Studies: Michael Faraday & Electricity
Learn more about Michael Faraday from this section of our free science studies based on the public domain book Great Inventors and Their Inventions. Many activities, interactives, and more!