How to Implement

The girls will work on individual designs but will share some supplies with each other.

Part One: Build a Simple Circuit Using a Template

• Have the girls watch this simple circuit tutorial video from Chibitronics.
• Pass out templates and supplies and have the girls make a simple circuit in order to understand how to make circuits with the copper tape.
• Remind girls about complete and short circuits before they start making their projects.
  • Electrons only flow along a continuous path. A complete circuit allows electrons to flow from the battery through the LED and back into the battery. This round-trip flow of electrons, called current, causes the light to turn on and shine. Electrons are lazy and always take the path of least resistance. Since electrons prefer to take a “shortcut,” rather than do work lighting an LED, an accidental copper connection from + to – will quickly drain the battery, and the LED will not light. This condition is called a short circuit.
• Follow the directions on the template to learn how to make a complete circuit.
  • The “+” side of the LED sticker needs to connect to the “+” side of the battery and the “-” point of the sticker to the “-” side of the battery. If needed, remind the girls that this is similar to the doodle bot in the robotics strand and that this continuous path is a complete circuit.

Part Two: Creating Your Own Design

• In part 2, girls will be making a new paper circuit of their own design using the Chibitronics materials.
• Have girls brainstorm ideas using the following prompt. “Imagine you are creating a design for a t-shirt that shares something people don't know about you.”
  • They should sketch out their ideas in their design journal, identifying and marking the part(s) of their design they want to light up.
• When they have completed their initial idea, have them share with a partner. Note: Make sure girls are aware of their design constraints (i.e. how many stickers they have, size of paper, length of copper tape, number of lights powered by one battery).
• Allow girls to explore paper circuit resources on the "For the Girls" page and have them plan out their circuit design. You can also pass around the Chibitronics sketchbook to show them other ways to build circuits, even ones with multiple LEDs
• Allow time at the end for the girls to share their creations with each other.

Extension Option

• If there is time they can also explore the Made with Code LED dress:
  • Made with Code LED Dress Activity
  • Video of Actual Dress that Inspired Made with Code Activity with Madison Maxey