Activity 10: Electrical Currents and LEDs - Arduino

Enhancing Computational Thinking through Interactive Coding Challenges.

Grade: Kindergarten
Grade: 1
Grade: 2
Grade: 3
Grade: 4
Grade: 5
Grade: 6
Time: 1 Hour

Description

In this activity, students will engage in an activity designed to introduce them to the fundamentals of electronics by making a simple circuit. Through levels of increasing difficulty, students will get a hands-on experience that provides them with a foundational understanding of how electronic circuits and programming interact.

Time Required

  • Estimated Time: 1 Hour

Materials required

Steps to Conduct the Activity

Difficulty Breakdown

Introduction

  • Acssess insturction in order to run activity.

Beginner

  • Follow the instructions through to the end of the single LED circuits.
  • 🔍 Focus Skills: creativity, problem-solving, electrical component relationships

Intermediate

  • Follow the instructions through to the end of the single LED circuits.
  • For increasing difficulty, continue the activity through the multiple LED circuits.
  • 🔍 Focus Skills: creativity, problem-solving, electrical component relationships

Discussion & Reflection

After the activity has been completed, gather the class for a quick debrief. We can ask:

  • What did you observe from trying to get the LEDs to light up?
  • Relate the activity to everday use of certain electironic that work with simalr electonics like LED lights.

Wrap-Up

Introducing students to the fundamentals of electronics equips them with a deeper understanding of how we interact with and manipulate electronic devices. By gaining this foundational knowledge, they can comprehend the essential processes and steps required to make electronic components function effectively. This early exposure not only explains the workings of everyday technology but also fosters curiosity and encourages hands-on experimentation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • Understand the function of an LED.
  • Build a simple circuit.
  • Explore how LEDs interact with other elextrical components.
  • Understand the difference between different kinds of circuits.
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