Students learn the basics of electrical circuits and switches by building a simple string of lights. Then using Excel, they choreograph their own light patterns that they can record and present.
This three-day activity introduces students to electrical circuits and how to use a circuit to create a light switch. Students construct electrical circuits consisting of four fundamental components—power source, load, conductor, and switch. With these circuits, students create party lights that are manually controlled or set to music they choose. Students then replace the DIY switch with a microcontroller connected to a custom Excel workbook.
Here they learn the benefits of digital switching and light sequence coding. This interdisciplinary lesson places students in a real-world setting as they design a party lights for an upcoming school celebration. It leverages Excel’s powerful visualizations to
engage students in understanding the basics of circuitry and the benefits of digital switching. You may invite your students to present their light sequences using Flipgrid.
Please note that lesson activities will require adult supervision.
Target grades: 4-8th grade, 9-14 years Duration: Three 50-minute class periods
Real-world roles: Electrical engineers, mechanical engineers
Disciplines: Physical science, computer science
Learning objectives
- Research the primary components of an electrical circuit.
- Draw a technical diagram of a basic circuit using industry standard symbols.
- Build a circuit and construct a switch that allows for manual control of an LED light.
- Connect a basic circuit to a microcontroller and Excel workbook to program light sequences.
Activity 1:
Students research the components of an electrical circuit and draw a technical diagram of a circuit.
Activity 2: Build a switched electrical circuit
Students build a circuit and construct a switch that allows for manual control of an LED light.
Activity 3:Visualization and control
Students connect a basic circuit to a microcontroller and Excel workbook to program light sequences.
Activity 4: Record and share your party lights
Resources
Use these resources to explore more information on stage lighting and electrical circuits.
Resource Guide on Basic Circuits – Hacking STEM
What is a circuit? – SparkFun
How circuits work - How Stuff Works
Choreographing the dance of traffic lights – The New York Times
Stage lighting for students – Stage Lighting Primer
How to become a lighting technician - Careers in Music
picture Individual Kit |
picture Classroom Kit |
What's need
Items |
Individual |
Group |
Double sided alligator clips |
2 |
20 |
Jumbo LED |
2 |
20 |
AA battery holder |
1 |
10 |
AA batteries |
2 |
20 |
Wooden craft stick |
1 |
10 |
Solid core wire (30 cm) |
2 |
20 |
Pin-ended alligator clips |
3 |
30 |
Copper Tape (approx. 9 cm) |
4 |
40 |
Wire strippers |
1 |
10 |
|
|
|
Micro:bit microcontroller |
1 |
10 |
Prototyping breadboard |
1 |
10 |
Edge Connector |
1 |
10 |
USB cable micro |
1 |
10 |
Needed, Not Included
Cardboard (2.5 cm x 10 cm) |
2 |
20 |
Cardboard (4 cm x 10 cm) |
1 |
10 |
Cardboard (10 cm x 25 cm) |
3 |
30 |
Adhesive tape |
1 |
10 |
Hot glue gun + glue sticks |
1 |
10 |
Marker |
1 |
10 |
Scissors |
1 |
10 |
Leave a comment (all fields required)