Circuits on diagrams
Classroom Activity
for 11-14
In this introduction to circuit building, students construct their circuit on a circuit diagram so that they can see how symbols relate to real world components.
Equipment
Each group of students will need:
- 2 cells
- 2 bulbs
- 1 switch
- 5 connecting leads
- Poster paper
- Marker pen
- Blu Tack (optional)
- A circuit training card (download below)
Procedure
Ask the students to:
- Draw a large version of the circuit diagram below on a poster paper.
- Place components on the corresponding symbols.
- Make connections between components by placing leads along the lines on the diagram (providing Blu Tack to allow students to attach leads to paper if they want).
- If their circuit doesn’t work, use the Circuit Training card to check for faulty components.
Teaching notes
The Circuit Training cards allow students to diagnose their own problems and so help build resilience and trouble-shooting skills for future practical work.
Many younger students think the colour of a connecting lead has a physical significance. They can waste time working out whether a red, black or yellow one will work better for a particular purpose – when of course it doesn’t matter. If you can, arrange it so that each group only works with one colour.
Learning outcome
Students can build a series circuit containing several bulbs from a circuit diagram.
