Unit 14 - Current

Current

• understand the concept of electric current and distinguish it from static electricity
• recognize examples of electric current in everyday life
• recognize the parts of the circuit (current source, conductors, consumers, switches), and understand the importance of electricity for everyday life
• distinguish materials that conduct and do not conduct electricity
• deals with engineering, designing, and creating simple circuits.

• Pictures with examples of electricity
• presentation
• teaching sheet with tasks
• cardboard or thick paper
• copper wire
• plastic pipes
• batteries
• small light bulbs
• mini switches
• scissors
• markers

• A lamp or classroom light turning on and off
• Charging a mobile phone or tablet
• A fan or computer working when plugged in
• A flashlight with batteries
• A doorbell ringing
• A simple circuit with a battery, wires, and a bulb
• Toys that move using batteries

• Which materials conduct electricity
• Which materials are insulators of electric current
• What does the circuit consist of (open and closed circuit)

• 1 battery (AA or 9V)
• 2–3 insulated wires with clips
• 1 small light bulb or LED
• Test objects: coin, paper clip, spoon, pencil (graphite), rubber, plastic, wood, paper, fabric, etc.

1. Build a simple circuit with a battery, wires, and a bulb (teacher can demonstrate first).
2. Leave a small gap in the circuit.
3. Place one test object into the gap.
4. Observe:
   • If the bulb lights up → conductor
   • If the bulb stays off → insulator
5. Students record results in a simple table:

• “Which objects did NOT make the bulb light up?”
• “What do these objects have in common?”

• Conductors
• Insulators

1. Show a closed circuit (bulb lights).
2. Disconnect one wire to make an open circuit (bulb turns off).
3. Let students try both.

• Closed circuit = electricity can flow → light ON
• Open circuit = electricity cannot flow → light OFF

• Battery (power source)
• Wires (path)
• Bulb (device)
• Switch or gap (control)

• Ask students to predict before testing each object.
• Draw their circuit.
• Count how many conductors vs. insulators they found.

• Define a playing area large enough for group movement.
• Divide students into equal teams for competitive activities, or play with the whole class in a collaborative setup.
• Prepare materials: hula hoops, balls, Makey Makey kits, and simple conductive objects (e.g., bananas).

• Students form a large circle.
• Use a soft ball or beanbag as the "energy source."
• Pass the ball around the circle as quickly as possible while the music plays.
• When the music stops, the player holding the ball is "short-circuited" and steps out of the game.

• Form teams, and each team creates a circle by holding hands.
• Place a hula hoop over the arms of two team members.
• Teams must pass the hula hoop around the circle without letting go of each other’s hands. Each player must move through the hoop completely for it to continue its path.
• Measure the time it takes for the hula hoop to complete one full circuit. Teams aim to beat their own record or compete against other teams.

• Use two hula hoops moving in opposite directions to add complexity.
• Have players cross their legs or use a larger hula hoop for an added challenge.

• Players form a large circle, alternating between two teams.
• Each team uses one ball, starting with their captain.
• The goal is to pass the ball around the circle as quickly as possible without dropping it. The first team to complete a predetermined number of passes or circuits wins.
• Ensure players know who their teammates are and maintain fair play.

• Use bean bags, sticks, or hoops instead of balls
• Increase the distance between players to make passes more challenging.

• Use Makey Makey kits and conductive objects (e.g., bananas).
• Form a human "circuit" by having students hold hands while one person touches a conductive object connected to the Makey Makey.
• Demonstrate how breaking the connection stops the "current" (e.g., sound or light from the Makey Makey).
• Have students experiment with creating longer or shorter human circuits.

• Connect multiple Makey Makey kits for larger circuits or use objects like lemons and potatoes as additional "energy sources."

• cardboard or thick paper
• copper wire
• plastic pipes
• batteries
• small light bulbs
• mini switches
• scissors
• markers
• lemons
• bananas
• Maky-maky

• Example 1: For a rectangle measuring 8 cm by 5 cm, students calculate the perimeter as 2 ∙ (8 cm + 5 cm) = 26 cm.
• Example 2: For a square board of 6 cm by 6 cm, they calculate the perimeter as 4 ∙ 6 cm =24 cm.

• A4 or A5 thick paper or cardstock (foldable for a greeting card format)
• CR2032 coin cell battery
• 1 LED (preferably 5mm, any color)
• Copper adhesive tape (conductive tape)
• Scissors
• Glue or double-sided tape
• Markers, pencils, crayons (for decorating)(Optional) Stickers or printed robot templates Instructions:

• Position the LED so its light shines through the hole.
• Use copper adhesive tape to create a closed circuit connecting the LED legs to a CR2032 coin cell battery.
• Ensure the polarity of the battery and LED legs match (long leg = positive side).
• Fold the paper or design a switch tab so that pressing a spot on the card closes the circuit and lights up the LED.

• Science – Electricity
• Technology – Using Makey Makey kits to explore electrical conductivity and demonstrate the concept of a circuit
• Engineering – creating
• Physical Education – Games (hot potato)
• Art - Design Greeting card
• Mathematics – Perimeter of rectangle and square, fractions (addition and subtraction)