Project Description

Electrical Buzz

Lights, noise and airborne propellers. Use Snap Circuit kits to build exciting circuits using a variety of electrical components including switches, LEDs, resistors and integrated sound circuits. 

  • Level: Suitable for Year 3 to Year 6.

  • Duration: Available in a 60 or 90 minute format. We recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow.

  • Numbers: Each workshop can cater to a maximum of 30 children. However, smaller groups have better access to equipment and the facilitator.

  • State: VIC, NSW & QLD

Learning Outcomes

  • Electricity is a form of energy that is an essential part of our way of life.

  • Many other forms of energy (such as solar and wind, and the chemical potential energy in coal and gas) are transformed into electrical energy in power plants.

  • There are two types of electricity: static electricity and current electricity.

  • An electrical current is the movement of electric charges around a closed loop, called a circuit. A switch turns a device on or off by joining and breaking a circuit.

  • As electricity moves around a circuit, the energy it has is transformed into other forms of energy e.g. light, heat, or sound.

  • Components in an electrical circuit can be connected in series, or in parallel.

  • Electromagnets are a kind of magnet that can be turned on and off with electrical energy. They are used in all kinds of electric devices.

  • Electric motors convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. They use electromagnets, and the attraction and repulsion of magnetic fields to produce motion.

  • Renewable energy sources such as solar generate electricity without producing carbon dioxide.

  • Critical thinking skills are used as students troubleshoot problems with their circuits.

  • Different materials have different capacities for conducting the flow of electricity.

Activities

  • Engaging demonstrations of static electricity.

  • Whole-class activity to demonstrate the concept of an electrical circuit, and how a switch can be used to join or break a circuit.

  • In pairs, students build simple circuits. They create series and parallel circuits, and discuss the differences between them.

  • In pairs, students build a circuit to power a propeller with a motor. They identify the energy transformations that take place, and explore the effect of reversing the wiring.

  • Critical thinking skills are used as students troubleshoot problems with their circuits.

  • Students use Snap Circuits kits to build a variety of circuits with switches, lamps, motors, speakers, LEDs and fans, using the concepts they have learned.

  • Demonstration of a solar cell, and discussion of the benefits of using renewable energy sources.

90 minute workshops also include these activities:

  • Demonstration of an electromagnet, and how a simple electric motor works.

  • Students test a variety of materials and record them as conductors or insulators.

  • Graphical representations of an electrical circuit or circuit schematics is introduced.

  • Building more complex circuits with the Snap Circuits components.

Victorian Curriculum Links

  • Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity; electric circuits enable this energy to be transferred to another place and then to be transformed into another form of energy (VCSSU081)

  • Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (VCSIS051)

  • Safely use appropriate materials, tools, equipment and technologies (VCSIS067)

NSW Curriculum Links

  • Questions, plans and conducts scientific investigations, collects and summarises data and communicates using scientific representations (ST2-1WS-S)

  • Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions (ST3-1WS-S)

Australian Curriculum Links

  • Electrical energy can be transferred and transformed in electrical circuits and can be generated from a range of sources (ACSSU097)

  • Participate in guided investigations, including making observations using the senses, to explore and answer questions (ACSIS025)

  • With guidance, plan and conduct scientific investigations to find answers to questions, considering the safe use of appropriate materials and equipment (ACSIS054)

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SCHOOL FEEDBACK

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The workshop was great. The kids and parents loved it, and Belinda was excellent. 😊I will be booking you in for some more workshops

Haberfield Library Fantastic Forces holiday workshop October 10, 2024

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This is my favourite experience for the year as it’s real genuine hands on learning. Students are super engaged and remember the clear age-appropriate explanations. It forms the basis for our whole unit. Presenter was brilliant.

Kath @ Mount View Primary School Forces in Action SNR workshops October 10, 2024

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Amazing experience. Students thoroughly enjoyed the activities and Belinda was fantastic!

Ainna @ Mount Sinai College Living Things SNR workshops September 26, 2024

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