Building Circuits

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

In this activity, students experiment with batteries, wires, bulbs, and switches to assemble series and parallel circuits and to test for conductivity in sample items.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

SC15.4.2
Plan and carry out investigations that explain transference of energy from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.

Vocabulary

Construct
Transfer
Energy
Potential energy
Kinetic energy
Friction
Conduction
Absorb
Reflect
Circuit
Open circuit
Close circuit
Heat
Radiation
Convection
Collision
Motion
Electrical energy
Stored energy

Knowledge

Students know:

Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat.
The transfer of energy, including the following:

Collisions between objects.
Light traveling from one place to another.
Electric currents producing motion, sound, heat, or light.
Sound traveling from one place to another.
Heat passing from one object to another.
Motion, sound, heat, and light causing a different type of energy to be observed after an interaction.

Heat is produced in many ways.
Heat can move via conduction.
The properties of different objects cause them to be able to absorb, reflect, and/or conduct energy.
Electric currents pass through a circuit.

Skills

Students are able to:

Collaboratively plan and carry out an investigation that converts energy one form to another.

Identify the phenomenon.
Identify the evidence to address the purpose of the investigation.
Collect the data.

Construct an explanation using evidence about heat production.
Develop a model demonstrating that different objects can absorb, reflect, and/or conduct energy.
Develop a model demonstrating electric circuits.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
Heat energy can be produced in many ways.
The properties of objects, e.g. ability to absorb, reflect, or conduct energy, relate to their function.
Electric energy can be transferred through circuits.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; Developing and Using Models

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

SC15.4.4
Design, construct, and test a device that changes energy from one form to another (e.g., electric circuits converting electrical energy into motion, light, or sound energy; a passive solar heater converting light energy into heat energy).*

Vocabulary

criteria
constraint
energy
device
convert
design
construct
kinetic
potential
transform
evidence
engineering design process
ask
imagine
plan
create
improve

Knowledge

Students know:

Energy can be transferred from place to place by electric currents.

Skills

Students are able to:

Use scientific knowledge to generate design solutions that convert energy from one form to another.
Describe the given criteria and constraints of the design, which include the following:

The initial and final forms of energy.
Describe how the solution functions to transfer energy from one form to another.

Evaluate potential solutions in terms of the desired features.
Modify the design solutions to make them more effective.

Understanding

Students understand that:

Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.
Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones but are limited by available resources.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

National Geographic

License Type

Custom

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/building-circuits/

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/terms-of-service/

Approved Date

2021-02-24

Design by Adaptive Theme