Investigating Circuits
Energy ecoSTEM Kit Materials Used: GREEN Snap Circuits
ENGAGE - Students Observe This Phenomenon
GATHER
REASON
EXPLORE a Kit-Supported Learning Experience
Students will explore the DC Circuit Virtual Lab pHet Simulation; make a circuit that lights a bulb using trial and error; and construct a tentative explanation. Then, they will build electrical devices powered mechanically or by wind, solar, or fruit juice using the (2) GREEN Snap Circuit Kits. The manual contains directions for making a variety of devices such as FM radio, light, clock or buzzer. This activity is best set up as an exploration station.
EVALUATE
Students should be able to explain that electricity flows in one direction, creating a loop. They may be able to explain that circuits transfer electrical energy into sound, light, and other forms; and configure a circuit using one wire, as per Page Keeley’s Batteries, Bulbs and Wires probe.
ELABORATE
EXTEND
The Snap Circuit Designer app provides an opportunity to make drag and drop diagrams. Models may be submitted to Snap Circuit Designer Showcase for possible recognition and publication.
COMMUNICATE
Revised EXPLANATION
After making sense of a core idea by engaging in science or engineering practices through the lens of crosscutting concepts, students revise their original explanations of a phenomenon.
EMPOWERMENT
Students research sources of renewable energy and compare current usage (% by source) to historic use to see trends.