Electrical Circuits

A hands-on science workshop where students learn how electrical circuits really work.

 

• Compare series vs. parallel circuits
• Discover different types of resistors
• Learn about diodes
• Play with sirens, bells and buzzers
• Get motors to spin, electrical gates to work and much more!

The session begins simply to introduce the basics of open vs. closed circuits and then slowly introduces that various circuits that can be made. This is highly open ended: there are 180 separate circuits layouts that can be made and so once the students have a firm understanding of the content and background science they can then explore at their own pace.

VERY SAFE: The circuits themselves are based on simple button circuits and run of AA batteries.
 

Australian Curriculum and NSW K to 10 Syllabus Links

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows 

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:

 

• Electrical circuits provide a means of transferring and transforming electricity (ACSSU097) 
• Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity (ACSSU219) 
• Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance. (ACSSU076)

NSW Science Syllabus Content 

A student:

 

• describes how scientific understanding about the sources, transfer and transformation of electricity is related to making decisions about its use (ST3-6PW).
• describes everyday interactions between objects that result from contact and non-contact forces (ST2-7PW).
  
  NSW K - 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

Which electricity workshop is right for me?

As we offer a number of electricity workshops it can be a little confusing as to which is right for your class. Please have a look below for a very short description of the different ones available so you can quickly see what would work best for your school. The titles are clickable links to take you to the full workshop description.

Electrical circuits
This school workshop is generally chosen when students already have a grasp of how electrical energy is transferred. The focus of this workshop is to arrange electrical components such as lights, batteries, capacitors, switches and more to produce either series or parallel circuits that work.

Create a Buzz
This workshop covers the fundamentals of electricity & magnetism. What is static vs current electricity? What is electromagnetism? What materials are resistors vs. conductors? How do basic circuits work? Most schools choose this school science visit when they want us to spend time at the beginning of their topic prior to having students construct their own circuits later.
 
Madlab Electronics
In some ways similar to the electrical circuits program, only this time the circuits themselves are being constructed using soldering irons. The focus of this workshop is learning the skills and techniques used real electronics in putting electrical circuits together. In this workshop they keep the circuits they make.
 
Renewable Energy
The focus of this workshop is to look how electricity can be generated using renewable energy sources (wind, solar etc). These energy sources are compared with non-renewable electrical energy power generation in terms of reliability and their effect on the environment.
 

Are you studying energy transformations instead? 

If your class is looking at potential vs. kinetic energy, how energy comes from the sun as well as how energy can change into light, heat, sound, magnetic, chemical (etc), the most appropriate workshop would be Exploring Energy.
 

• Appropriate for Years 5 to 6 with a maximum of 30 students per class.
• Access to 15 tables or a similar floor space.
• Chairs are not required.
• Duration 60 minutes, set up time 30 minutes and pack up time 30 minutes

• $350 inc. GST for a 60 minute workshop or $440 for a 90 minute workshop.
• Minimum school science visit cost is $440 inc. GST per day.
• This is best when run in combination with Create a Buzz.
• Link with Madlab Electronics to solder circuits for an extension activity!

Call 1300 856 828, or use this form to enquire or make a booking for your primary school.
Free 30 minute teacher PD video conference with 2 or more booked science shows.

For schools outside of metropolitan areas please contact us to discuss how this science workshop can visit your school as part of a regional science visit.

We don't charge per student as we know that this causes an additional administrative load on your school office. Most schools tend to fill the science workshops & shows based on our recommended maximum number of students. If you have any questions on our science incursions please contact us.
 

Back to Primary School science programmes

Free science experiment resources


 

Want more ideas for teaching science?

Subscribe to the FizzicsEd Podcast!

 

NEW Primary science teaching book

Clip circuit primary electricity kit

 

• Series vs parallel circuits & more
   
• Safe & robust for classroom use
  
  

Glowing UFO energy ball

 

• Lights up with skin contact!
   
• Demonstrate conductivity
  
  

6 in 1 solar education kit

 

• Investigate renewable energies
   
• Easy to construct in class
  
  

Teacher's favourite: Pi Mug!

 

• Ok, it's not a resource but we like it!
   
• Show your love of maths :)
  
  

Over 100+ Free Online Science Experiments!

• Fun science experiments that you can do at class or home! 
• Use for science projects or lesson plans.
• Step by step instructions make each science experiment fun, safe, cheap and easy to make.
• There are also links to good science websites, so teachers, parents and students can use this section as an online science resource. 
• Of course, the science experiments are highly engaging for all kids! 

• Light & Sound
• Science Trivia
• Kitchen Chemistry
• Force & Movement
• Electricity Experiments
• Coloured Shadows
• Mathematics
• Human Body
• Water, Balloon & Candle
• Air Takes Up Space
• Glowing Messages
• Lovely Light Beam