What this lesson teaches
This activity introduces children to the basics of electricity and circuits. They learn about the flow of electric current and the necessity of a complete circuit for the light bulb to illuminate.
Can you finish circuit explorers: light up your world in about 25 min?
You will this activity introduces children to the basics of electricity and circuits.
Sign in to start the full activity flow, save this lesson, print a learner version, and track XP. The preview below is public so parents and educators can evaluate the activity before joining.
This activity introduces children to the basics of electricity and circuits. They learn about the flow of electric current and the necessity of a complete circuit for the light bulb to illuminate.
By physically assembling components, children engage in embodied cognition, making abstract concepts of electricity tangible. The immediate visual feedback of a lit bulb reinforces their understanding of circuits and cause-effect relationships.
1. Gather a battery (1.5V), a small bulb, and two wires. 2. Connect one end of a wire to the positive terminal of the battery. 3. Attach the other end of that wire to one terminal of the bulb. 4. Connect the second wire from the negative terminal of the battery to the other terminal of the bulb. 5. Observe what happens when the connections are made. 6. Experiment by disconnecting one wire — what do you notice?