Science 6: Electricity
Circuit Activities

Based on outcomes from Circuit Pathways:
Students will be able to
•	compare a variety of electrical pathways by constructing simple circuits, and illustrate the electrical circuits with drawings and appropriate symbols (303-23, 207-2)
•	follow instructions for testing the conductivity of different solids and liquids, and draw conclusions as to which materials tested were insulators or conductors (205-3, 300-20)
•	describe the role of switches in electrical circuits, and identify materials that can be used to make a switch (303-24, 204-8)
•	compare characteristics of series and parallel circuits (303-25)
•	compare the characteristics of static and current electricity (303-22)

Hands-on:

1. Use the available equipment to build different circuits. Sketch your circuit(s) and make some jot notes about things you notice while you are building them. Consider the following ideas and questions as you work.

Questions to consider as you work:

a.	Try including one light or two lights and/or one or two dry cells. 
b.	How do switches affect the way a circuit works?
c.	Is there a way to make a buzzer make a softer noise?

2. Explore building simple circuits, and test the characteristics of series and parallel circuits.

Build the following circuits and test them. Jot notes of anything you notice as you make the different circuits.

1.		

2.		

3.		

4.		

5.		

6.		

7.		

Record Sheet (Grade 6)

Record your findings for your various circuits:

Series or Parallel	Number of dry cells	Number of light bulbs	Observations about the circuit