Exploring Circuits: Interacting Greeting Cards

POWERPOINT LESSON PLAN: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yBrOJR7wPnVB6cB3cRK4Df6T416Ndm8FJDc020A77wg/edit?usp=sharing

Target Audience

Middle school students in NYC (Allergic to Salad after school program)

Instructor skill-set

• Instructors must have a basic knowledge of circuitry and electricity

• Instructors should know how to build a circuit using a button

• Instructors who have fun and are creative!

Overview

For this lesson, students will explore the realm of everyday circuits, learning about LED lights, buttons, and basic circuit components. They will create a hands-on activity where students design and construct their own interactive greeting cards, integrating LED circuits and buttons to illuminate and control the lights. This engaging experience not only introduces the principles of circuits but also allows students to creatively apply their knowledge in crafting functional and personalized greeting cards.

“Ingredients”

• LEDs 120pc (assorted colors) $13

• Coin cell batteries 20pc (3V) $8

• Jumper Wires $0

• Clothes pins 50pc $6

• Wire Tape $3

• Construction Paper $2

• Markers $3

Learning Goals

• Introduce students to everyday circuits and their components (revise previous material, creating connections between past and present concepts/examples).

• Explore different types of circuits involving LEDs and buttons

• Apply knowledge by creating interactive greeting cards with LED circuits and buttons

Learning Objectives

• Students will learn how a button works in a circuit.

• Students will explore different types of circuits involving LEDs and buttons.

• Students will apply knowledge by creating interactive greeting cards with LEDs and buttons.

Outline

[INTRO] - 10 minutes

Literacy, STEM, or Leadership Skills Developed:

• STEM

Performance Goals

• Reintroduce what a circuit is.

Description:

• Briefly explain what a circuit is and discuss everyday devices/items that use circuits, such as flashlights, TV remotes, and doorbells.

[Button Component] - 10 minutes

Literacy, STEM, or Leadership Skills Developed:

• STEM

Performance Goals

• Learn what a button is and how it works.

Description:

• Demonstrate how adding a button to a circuit can control the flow of electricity.

• Explain how a button works.

• Discuss the purpose of buttons in the cards and how they can control the LED lights.

[Hands-on Demonstration] - 30 minutes

Literacy, STEM, or Leadership Skills Developed:

• STEM

Performance Goals

• Building a circuit with a button and designing their card

Description:

• Students can sketch their circuit and start thinking about the material they want to use

• They will then gather material and build their own circuit and the play test will happen

• Students will get to also design their card and place their LED inside the card!

In-depth Instructions:

• Position the left side of the copper tape and place the coin battery on top of it.

• Make sure the side with the positive sign is facing up!

• Position the right side of the tape, when it's getting near the battery fold the end of the tape back on itself so the sticky side will be against each other. 

• Bend the tape so it is on top of the battery, but not touching.

• Make sure the pieces of tape are not touching each other. We want the tape to touch when the button is pressed.

• Secure the battery with clear tape!

[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

• 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:

  • What is a button and how is it used?

  • What are other activities we can create using a button/LED circuit?

  • How did we use the battery to act as a button?

  • What can you tell me about open and closed circuits?

  • How did our open circuit become a closer circuit?

• Instructors should do the evaluations.

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 be able to easily draw a circuit diagram.

  • Students shouldn’t be confused when asked to draw a simple LED circuit.

• Instructors should do the evaluations.

Exit Ticket

Through this lesson, students will learn about everyday circuits, including the functions of LED lights and buttons within a circuit. By creating interactive greeting cards, they will apply this knowledge practically, learning how to design, construct, and troubleshoot circuits. As a takeaway, students will bring home both their personalized interactive greeting cards and a newfound appreciation for the application of circuits in everyday objects.