Batteries, Bulbs & Switches
(Activities that are greyed or links with "NL" indicate that they are not linked in this sample site)
Concepts explored in this module:
Links to National Standards (NL) Missouri State Standards (NL) California State Standards (NL)
An Analogy :Water and Electrical Current -- A. Investigating analogies between electrical current and the flow of water An Analogy B: Resistance Extending the water analogy to resistance One Bulb, One Battery, One Wire Understanding closed circuits and contact points The Bulb Challenge Problem Solving Activity Look at all those bulbs! All bulbs have at least two contact points and something inside that lights up Light that bulb! Understanding closed circuits. Introducing circuit diagrams Closed Circuit Challenge Problem solving activities Look at all those batteries! All batteries have two contact points. Different batteries are designed to produce different amounts of voltage Enter: the switch! Understanding the purpose of a switch Look at all those switches! Understanding how different switches function The Switch Challenge Problem Solving Activities Turn on the buzzer! Wiring a buzzer Connect the motor! Learning to connect motors Adding a photocell and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) Adding "high-tech" devices commonly used in modern day circuitry My own car door Connecting circuits, using a push button switch