Target Audience
Upper Key Stage 2
Link to the National Curriculum
Sc4 Physical Processes (Electricity)
Non Statutory Guidance
Pupils might work scientifically by:
- Designing and making a set of traffic lights
Objective
- To build on the experience the children have already gained relating to electrical circuits in the lower Key Stage 2 setting.
Preliminary Activity
- This work could take the form of a broader theme related to Road Safety in general and in that way immediately the children are engaged because it become a real investigation where their own personal experiences can be brought to bear.
What you need
- Electrical wire
- Bulb holders
- Bulbs
- Battery holders
- Drawing pins
- Paper clips
What you do
- Watch the video clip “traffic lights” from the website: www.practicalprimaryscience.co.uk
- Lay the apparatus on its side for ease of working
- Fit the three bulb holders and bulbs into position
- Fix up the wiring as show in the video clip
- Attach the battery holder and batteries to the side of the apparatus
- Using the paper clip / drawing pin switch test the light sequence
Group/ Class organization
- Depending on the availability of additional adult help, experience of the children and apparatus available split the children into group of 3 / 4s
How it works
- To enable a bulb to light up requires a complete circuit. Once children have mastered this concept then circuit construction becomes a formality for most circuits
Follow up work
- Introduce the children to further challenges regarding everyday appliances that require electrical solutions