Circuitry Basics

It all starts with a bit of power and a bit of action.  What is a circuit?  How can teachers bring circuitry to their classroom?  In my last entry I included some information on circuit blocks.  In the presentation below I started even simpler with AA batteries and holiday lights.  These lights can be purchased with crazy amounts in one box to keep costs down.  By using holiday lights we can also teach techniques such as cutting with wire strippers.  

The presentation goes through the importance of circuitry and why circuit blocks are important in the flow of information from tinkering to robotics.  We tried out some paper circuits with circuit tape and LED lights.  In the presentation there are recommendations regarding products to purchase and freebies I've found.

Not enough circuitry for you?  Towards the end we discussed soft circuits (either with battery pack or with Makey Makey) and some curriculum connections to literature.

I have received so much positive feedback from this presentation that I'm sharing it online.  Enjoy!

During the presentation we tried some of these fun lesson ideas.  We finished off with a presentation by a fellow PBS Digital Learning Media Innovator.