Close icon
Close icon

CLASS WORKSHOP: Beginner Circuit Challenges for Young Innovators for 3rd & 4th class

Image
Text saying Engineering Design Challenges Spring 2024 on light blue background

Wires, Lights & Mighty Motors: Introducing our exciting workshop designed to introduce children to the fundamentals of circuits, motor mechanics, and problem-solving through engineering design challenges.

During this workshop, children will have the opportunity to learn about Energy and Light and have a first try of exploring and experimenting with circuits, learning the basics of electricity flow and how to create series circuits that included devices like a bulb, motor and buzzer. 

This beginner circuitry workshop in CRAFT invites children to think about energy and in particular electrical energy.  They will get to explore light and motion through circuits. In this hands-on session, children will be introduced to the fundamentals of circuits, lights, motors and problem-solving through engineering design challenges.  They will discover how to power a light bulb, a buzzer and a small motor using essential materials, learning step by step how electricity flows through a complete series circuit. We will emphasize safety precautions and ensure that your child understands how to correctly connect the components.

During the workshop they will complete STEM challenges:  

  • Light a Bulb- By connecting a bulb to a battery with wires, children will see firsthand how a closed circuit allows electricity to flow and make the bulb shine. This simple but powerful activity builds confidence in understanding how electricity works. 

  • Power a Motor- With the same principles, children will connect a motor to a battery, watching in excitement as the motor shaft begins to spin and how this is used in many real world applications and in their own design ideas. They can then attach a hand-crafted paper fan to the motor, creating a working mini-fan that really moves air or design a Newton Wheel to further examine concepts of light.

Throughout the activity, safety will be emphasized, and children will be encouraged to experiment, test, and problem-solve.  

By participating in this workshop, children will:

  • Learn about energy, electricity and light.
  • Gain a clear understanding of how electricity flows through a closed circuit
  • Build and test circuits that create light, sound and motion
  • Develop hands-on making skills by crafting and attaching their own paper fans to motors.
  • Foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
  • Enhance collaboration and communication skills through group activities
  • Foster an interest in STEAM-related subjects, specifically electronics and engineering

This activity offers an engaging and interactive way for children to explore electricity in action, seeing how simple circuits can power light, sound and movement – just like in the real world around them.

Curriculum Links

Primary school science curriculum links include Strand Unit: Energy & Forces, Strand Unit: Electricity; and the Scientific Process Skill Development (Working scientifically, Questioning, Observing, Predicting, Investigating and experimenting, Estimating and measuring, Analyzing, Recording and Communicating, Evaluating, Designing and making).

Primary school mathematics curriculum links include Skills Development: applying and problem-solving; communicating and expressing; integrating and connecting; reasoning; implementing; understanding and recalling.

 

Interested?  Use the Contact Form to let us know

scribble bots on a window