Using copper tape and LEDs to make creative circuits on a flat surface, like a piece of paper, students can make light-up greeting cards, make origami animals come to life, or create three-dimensional pop-up paper sculpture that have working lights in them.
Paper Circuits- Tutorials
https://sites.google.com/aceraschool.org/pbllearningandmaking/makerspaces/acera-maker-projects/paper-circuits
Series and Parallel Circuits
https://chibitronics.com/2016/11/08/parallel-and-series-circuits/
Activity Outline:
Demonstrate LED attached to Coin Cell- Note polarity(+/-)
Show polarity of LEDs
Make Simple Paper Circuit: 2 3" strips of copper tape + LED+ Coin Cell + copper tape switch
Draw Artwork for light-up 'jar' on cardstock
Layout LED locations, draw copper strip with marker
Attach copper tape, LEDs, coin cell(attach with copper tape loop)
Test!
Paper Circuits(Exploratorium)
https://www.exploratorium.edu/tinkering/projects/paper-circuits
Video: How to Make Paper Circuits https://youtu.be/ZaTKVjxt_kQ (5:45)
Paper Circuit Light-up card https://youtu.be/Q0sk6pCJGjA
Materials:
Copper Foil Tape with Conductive Adhesive - 6mm x 15 meter roll
LEDs, various colors or Chibitronics Circuit Stickers
Cellophane Tape
Scissors
Colored Cardstock
Construction paper, various colors
Binder Clips
Red and black markers to draw circuit paths
Example: Cupcake Paper Circuit Card: https://youtu.be/7hb-9eUpfbQ
Paper Circuit Templates: https://chibitronics.com/templates/
Circuit stickers are much easier to use than standard LEDs, as they make better electrical contact and have the polarity clearly marked. However, they are more expensive( $1.16 per LED sticker vs $0.48 for a 10mM LED vs $0.02 each for standard 5mM LEDs).
The standard LEDs sometimes need to be soldered in to make effective electrical contact, and you need to keep track of the polarity. Also, make sure you have the thicker copper tape, as the thin stuff tears easily and is difficult for novices to manipulate. It generally works to sandwich the LED lead between the copper tape and a small piece of copper tape on top.
Building Sequence:
(1) Start with the artwork
(2)locate where the LEDS are going
(3)draw the positive and negative circuit paths to connect them
(4) Lay the copper tape along the path
(5) Insert the LEDs and bend the leads
(6) Connect the LEDs.
(7) Attach the coin cell battery with a small loop of copper tape.
LED colors:
LEDs come in two basic 'families':
Red/Yellow/ Orange with a forward voltage drop of about 2.1V
Blue/Violet/White with a forward voltage drop of 3.1V
LEDs chosen should be within the same family. Otherwise only the LED with the lower voltage will illuminate.
LED Star Map Project
https://sites.google.com/view/mrjonathansengineering/electronics/led-star-maps