Students applied their prior knowledge of atoms to investigate static electricity.  When there is a build up of electrons (negative charges) because of friction, those negative charges will attract or travel to uncharged surfaces. In class, students created static electricity by rubbing balloons on their shirts.  Extra electrons from the students' shirts were transferred to the balloon.  When placed near an uncharged surface, like the wall, the balloon stuck until the charge wore off.  Static electricity will then be compared to lightning!  It's 'shocking' how similar the two really are!