Exploring Circuits: Conductivity within Circuits
Exploring Circuits: Conductivity within Circuits
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POWERPOINT LESSON PLAN: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JV1OoJd8DTKUlY2ohgeqxttqd79rbtjkcAqZG3fu16g/edit?usp=sharing
Target Audience
Target Audience
Middle school students in NYC (Allergic to Salad after school program).
Instructor skill-set
Instructor skill-set
Instructors must have a basic knowledge of circuitry and electricity
Instructors who have fun and are creative!
Overview
Overview
For this lesson, students will dive into the world of circuits by replacing traditional wires with unconventional materials such as play dough, bananas, and Orbeez. Through interactive experiments, they will discover how these everyday items can serve as conductors, completing circuits and illuminating LED lights. This engaging session not only introduces the concept of conductivity but also sparks creativity as students design and experiment with alternative materials in their own unique circuits.
“Ingredients”
“Ingredients”
LEDs 120pc (assorted colors) $13
Coin cell batteries 20pc (3V) $8
Playdough ~$6
Learning Goals
Learning Goals
Introduce the concept of conductivity in circuits.
Explore how different materials can replace traditional wires in a circuit.
Learn the role of conductive and insulating materials in completing or interrupting a circuit.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Students will learn the role of conductivity and insulating materials in a circuit.
Students will learn the difference between a closed and open circuit.
Students will explore how different materials can replace traditional wires in a circuit.
Students will build their circuits using everyday objects.
Outline
Outline
[INTRO] - 10 minutes
[INTRO] - 10 minutes
Literacy, STEM, or Leadership Skills Developed:
STEM
Performance Goals
Learning what conductivity is
Description:
Briefly explain the concept of conductivity in circuits.
Discuss common conductive materials like metals and insulated materials like rubber.
Introduce the idea of exploring alternative conductive materials, so students can build their own circuits at home with everyday materials!
[Conductive Charades] - 10 minutes
[Conductive Charades] - 10 minutes
Literacy, STEM, or Leadership Skills Developed:
STEM
Performance Goals
Learn what is conductive and what’s not.
Description:
Create cards with objects that may represent conductive and objects that are not.
You will hold up the card and students try to guess if it’s conductive or not.
[Hands-on Demonstration] - 25 minutes
[Hands-on Demonstration] - 25 minutes
Literacy, STEM, or Leadership Skills Developed:
STEM
Performance Goals
Building a circuit
Description:
Students can sketch their circuit and start thinking about the material they want to use
Past out paper!
They will then gather material and build their own circuit until their LED lights up!
[Close Up and Clean Up] - 10 Minutes
[Close Up and Clean Up] - 10 Minutes
Description: Students will reflect on the activity and have time to clean up and put the tools back.
Evaluations #1
Evaluations #1
Evaluation should be done during a close-up circle.
A learning evaluation should be done by discussion and asking students questions about what they learned and about the activity.
Things to consider when doing the evaluation:
Does anybody remember what a circuit is?
What are some things you can add to improve your activity?
Will a closed or open circuit turn on an LED?
What are some materials that we can use to make our LED light up?
Instructors should do the evaluations.
Evaluations #2
Evaluations #2
Evaluation should be during the activity.
A behavior evaluation should be done by observing students during the activity.
Goals during this evaluation:
Students should be familiar with the circuit concept since we have reviewed it before.
Students should easily draw the circuit
Students shouldn’t be confused when asked to draw a simple LED circuit.
Instructors should do the evaluations.
Exit Ticket
Exit Ticket
Through this lesson, students will learn the fundamental concept of conductivity in circuits, exploring how materials like water and bananas can replace traditional wires. Through hands-on experiments, they will discover the ability of these unconventional materials to conduct electricity and complete circuits. With this knowledge, students will take home an enriched understanding of the practical applications of conductivity in technology and the creative possibilities it opens for designing innovative circuits.
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