Our first lab on electrostatics gets us to consider charging by friction, conduction, and induction, conductors and insulators, and work of moving a charged plate through an electric field. We learned that sparks from discharge occur when the air ionizes to create a conducting path like mini-lightning. Here is a picture of a lab group getting ready to rub a foam square of insulation with rabbit fur to charge it.
Ready to rub, charge and discharge 
We also played with our Van de Graaff and off course included some hair raising!
Hair raising for Melissa
Hair raising for Natalie
