Seventh graders at Robert Frost Middle School are in the middle of a unit on electricity and magnetism. In this lab, the students were given materials – wires, a light bulb and batteries – and challenged to create a closed circuit.

They discussed as a class that when the lightbulb turns on, it indicates that the circuit is closed, creating a complete loop for the electrons to flow. Students then explored ways to close an open circuit by testing different materials with their group members. If a material was able to close the circuit and turn on the light bulb, then the students classified it as a “conductor.” After students built their circuits, they had to draw and label the components in their lab packets.

“The New York State Science Learning Standards are placing a heavy emphasis on student exploration and using and creating models, so this lab helps build those skills,” teacher Natalie Birnbaum said.

As an added challenge, the seventh graders tried to create series and parallel circuits. They noticed that in a series circuit, where there is only one path for the electrons to flow, if one light goes out, all the rest of the lights go out too. The class discussed the benefit of using parallel circuits in homes, schools and office buildings, because they provide multiple paths for the electrons to flow. This lab built on students’ prior knowledge of electrons, and their experience earlier in the week building circuits on Frost’s Explore Learning Gizmos digital lab platform.

“This lab was a fun, interactive way for my students to apply their knowledge of circuits to turn on a light bulb,” Birnbaum said. “It also served to reinforce vocabulary. We had discussed earlier the difference between insulators and conductors, and here they got to apply their knowledge of these words to categorize different materials based on their observations. The kids got so excited when an unexpected item like a paper clip helped complete a circuit and turn on the light bulb. I think my students were extra excited to complete this lab because they had helped me prep the materials the day before, so they had an added layer of ownership. I also love that it allows for student choice. There is no ‘right’ answer; as long as the light bulb turns on, you know you made a closed circuit.”

Date Added: 2/5/2024