Electricity Lesson Plan

This lesson takes approximately 45 minutes.\

Materials:

• 20+ Batteries (D-cell)

• 10+ Double Battery Packs

• 40+ wire leads with alligator clips

• 10 Series (S) Boards

• 10 Parallel (P) Boards

• 30 Colored Light Emitting Diodes, L.E.D.’s

• 60+ Small Bulbs to fit the Series and Parallel Boards

• 2 Clear Light Bulbs, 40 watt, 110 volt

• 1 Pair Wire Strippers

• 1 White Board with a Pen

Pre-class preparation

Procedure:

1. Divide the class into ten teams.

2. The following diagrams are helpful

   1. A diagram of a light bulb anatomy including the filament.

   2. A picture of a circuit labeled “Circuit-Circle”.

   3. Under the circuit, “1) Power source” and “2) Complete Circuit/Circle”.

   4. A diagram of a Series Board circuit including batteries.

   5. A diagram of a Parallel Board circuit including batteries.

   6. A diagram of a Light Emitting Diode, with hints about the positive and minus leads.

3. Put batteries into 10 battery packs.

4. Put bulbs into the Series and Parallel boards.

Introduction

Objective:

• The objective of this lesson is to have students understand how a light bulb works, how a circuit works, how a series circuit and a parallel circuit are different, how an L.E.D. is different from a normal light bulb.

Procedure:

1. Ask the class to think about what would not work in their homes if there was no electricity.

2. Go around the room asking each student to name one thing that would not work without electricity.

3. Pass around the clear, full sized light bulbs.

4. Ask the students to observe and inspect the light bulbs.

5. While the students are inspecting light bulbs, use the diagram of the light bulb to explain the anatomy of the light bulb, including what a filament is and what is its function.

6. Discuss power sources:

   1. Demonstrate the positive and negative poles of a battery.

   2. The differences between AC and DC current (wall outlets 110 to 120V AC).

   3. The only thing that goes into a wall outlet is a plug. The 110-120V can kill you.

7. Household current can be very dangerous.

The Series Board

Procedure:

1. Ask the students to remove one bulb and discuss what happens. All the bulbs should go out.

2. Demonstrate the removal of the connection between one alligator clip and one end of the Series Board.

3. Ask the students to do the same, and use this clip to touch the base of each light bulb on the board.

4. Each student group should be able to light one-bulb, two-bulbs and three bulbs by using the method in #3.

Parallel Board

Objective:

• The objective of this lesson is to have students understand how a series circuit and a parallel circuit are different,.

Procedure:

1. Repeat the procedure used in the with the series board.

2. The L.E.D. has a specific polarity. The “Plus” connection must be connected to the (+) of the battery.

Free Time

Objective:

• The teams will remain engaged with the equipment.