Electronic circuits are like paths that electricity follows to make things work—like lighting up a bulb, powering a speaker, or running a robot! These circuits are made by connecting different parts like batteries, switches, and lights with wires.
In every circuit, voltage is the push that moves the electricity, current is the flow of that electricity, and resistance is what slows it down.
When we connect parts in a line, one after the other, it's called a series circuit. When we connect them side-by-side like branches, it's a parallel circuit.
Many real-life circuits are a mix of both—called series-parallel networks. These networks help control how electricity flows so that different parts of a circuit can work together without problems. Learning how to build these networks helps kids understand how complex electronics like computers, toys, and even smart homes are powered and controlled!
Objective: Understand how current flows in series and parallel circuits.
Materials: Battery pack (2 AA batteries), wires with alligator clips, small light bulbs (or LEDs with resistors), and a switch.
Activity:
What They Learn: Students see the difference in brightness and behavior of bulbs in series vs. parallel setups, and understand the basics of current flow and voltage distribution.
Objective: Explore how resistance affects current flow.
Materials: Battery, wires, light bulb or LED, and different lengths/thicknesses of pencil lead (graphite rods from mechanical pencils work well).
Activity:
What They Learn: Longer or thinner graphite creates more resistance, dimming the bulb. This teaches how resistance controls current in a circuit.
