Basic Circuit
Build a Basic Circuit
Work in pairs (partners)
1. Collect your supplies (one set for each pair)
- one - Light Emitting Diode (LED)
- one - 9 volt battery
- one - 9 volt battery connector
- one - container of Play-Doh
- one - small piece of aluminum foil
2. Create a basic circuit
- Connect wires using pieces of Play-Doh. Just push the wires into the Play-Doh. Play-Doh happens to be conductive which means it allows electricity to flow easily.
- If the LED doesn't light try switching the wires.
3. Add a switch
- Use the piece of aluminum foil to create a pressure sensitive switch. Push on the switch to turn the LED on.
4. Experiment with different types of circuits
- Partner with other teams to build these circuits.
Series
Parallel
Watch the 2 min. 26 sec video below to learn what a circuit is.
Watch the video below to further understand what a simple circuit is.
What is electricity? Watch this video.
Makey Makey LABZ - Simple Circuit Challenge
Colleen Graves has created and shared a wonderful "simple circuit challenge" HERE.
Causal Patterns in Simple Circuits is a set of lessons that are to be infused into a broader unit on simple electrical circuits. The lessons are designed to address a set of persistent misunderstandings that students have when learning about simple circuits. Developed by Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
MIT Graduates attempt to light a bulb. VIDEO HERE