There are various ways to get started with circuits (batt & bulb ; paper circuits ; circuit blocks…)
At the Unionville Elementary 4th grade science class, we started with the kits they had been exploring and they remade a series circuit. Then we switched up and gave them an LED & a battery and they had to figure out (observe & test) how to light it up (then multiples, then which colors work together. Then we added alligator clip wires to the mix. Most make the mistake of clipping the alligator clip to the battery (it is a clip , after all). We got that figured out. Since they knew how to make a series circuit with their kits, we had them make a series circuit with a neighbor. Now we had several points to trouble shoot. One being that LED’s are directional, the other being in series EACH needs 3 volts, so they have to add a second battery. They got that to work. We finished up by making a parallel circuit. Again, some had one light backwards, but we got that figured out.
Paper circuits is another way to work with electricity. It still starts with a battery & a bulb, but then they get to make a drawing and we draw a circuit on the inside of the drawing and use copper tape.
At the Wabash Valley STEAM Day (Sullivan Middle School) I did 3 sessions of this. Kids created some artwork, then choose 1 or two (or 3) places/components that they want to light up. I draw a circuit that they have to lay copper tape on. With the younger kids, it is nice to have parents involved to help with this.
Leave a Reply