Make ‘Circuit Blocks’ for Your Classroom

In my previous post from 1/1/2016 I mentioned how ‘Take Apart Isn’t Just for Preschool’ has transformed learning at the exploratory level in our technology classroom.  The question that arises often from other educators is: 

What do you do with the take apart when your students are done investigating what is inside the piece of electronic?

 OR

What do the students make with the items they have discovered?

The truth is that there is a stage of exploration that students examine prior to creating.  This testing stage is a review on how to make basic circuits.  I do this with circuitry blocks I’ve created, a variety of batteries, and a ton of gator clips.
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The coolest part was when I started to see students take items (such as fans) from different electronics and create their own sets of circuit blocks.  Although some of mine use conductive screws, many of the student blocks were done with hot glue.

Have you created circuit blocks with your students?  Share your stories and examples.
 
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