Simple Circuits Maker Fun!

Yesterday we were in full Maker mode after sitting in on a Supercharged Science teleclass on DIY Robots. Inspired by the example videos we watched and learning about the engineering process we proceeded to put to use some of the electronic materials I got a few months back when Radio Shack was going out of business. They basically learned about how to make a simple circuit using a battery pack, alligator clips, and either LED light or a small motor. 

The first thing I did in preparation for the Makers session was to take some of my wooden trays and place the basic tools we needed to get started on the project in them. I left it up to them to add any other materials or parts they wanted to use out our Makers closet. 

Here we are watching the teleclass before getting started on our projects. 

They were so excited when they assembled their first circuit and was able to get the LED light to illuminate. 

One thing I do with the children is have them work with one another in pairs. This way they are learning about collaboration and communication which are a part of those 21st Century Skills that are necessary in order to be successful in today's economy. I know not all individual homeschool families have enough children to work in pairs like this but I happen to have a large family so it works out. But if you have a smaller family or maybe an only child these sort of Makers project would be perfect to do with a COOP group or with maybe even some of the neighborhood kids. 

Here is our first team working on a propeller car. They used a motor with two Popsicle sticks to act as a propeller attached to a car frame they built. Although they were able to power the propeller with sucess next week they are trouble shooting the issue they had with the wheels and axle to get the car to move. 

Here is team 2 who decided to make a robot with two different colored LED lights for eyes. They successfully got the LED lights to illuminate but they have to use AA battery holders instead of the D they used and they also would like to add a movement component to the robot in next weeks Makers session. 

Here is some footage of our Makers Session.