Grade: 6 | Subject: Science | Unit: Electricity

Name:__________________________

Date:___________________

Introduction:
For an electric current to happen, there must be a circuit.
Electricity is a flow of electrons around a circuit.

The Human Circuit Demonstration:

1. Form a standing circle with table groups and join hands
2. 1 person holds a battery; Others hold pennies
3. Pass pennies around the circle
4. Human circle represents a circuit or a path

What is a Circuit?
A circuit is a complete, closed path or loop around which an electric current flows. A circuit is
usually made by linking electrical components together with pieces of wire cable.
A circuit needs 3 things in order to work:
1. A Load: The energy source (i.e. the battery)
2. A conductive path (the wires or cords where electrons flow)
3. A

Resistor: An object that uses electricity to do work--the desired end point (i.e. light bulb)

1. The Load
(i.e. battery)

2. The Resistor
(i.e. lightbulb)

3. The Conductive Path

(links the load and the resistor)

In a circuit, the electric current flows from the load, along the conductive path, through the
resistor, and back to the load.

Closed Circuit (demonstrate in groups)

A closed (or complete) path, where all
wires are connected to the load, or a
switch is turned on. Here, electricity
successfully flows from the load to the
resistor.
Open Circuit (demonstrate in groups)
An open (or incomplete) path, where all
wires are not connected to the load, or a switch is not turned on. Here, electricity does
not flow from the resistor to the load since
the path is incomplete, or open.

2.

3 Types of Circuits

1.

1. Simple Circuit: A closed circuit that contains a

load (battery), a resistor (light bulb), and a
single conductive path (connecting wires)

SIMPLE

3.

2. Series Circuit: A closed circuit, with a load (battery) and two or more resistors (light bulbs),
and a single conductive path (connecting wires)
3. Parallel Circuit: A closed circuit which is divided into two or more paths

Conductors and Insulators

Conductors: Materials that allow electric current to flow
freely along a path (metallic objects)
Insulators: Materials that do not allow electric current to flow
freely along a path (non-metallic objects)

TIME TO BUILD CIRCUITS!

Instructions:
Step#1: With the materials provided in each bin, each table
group will build a Simple, Series, and Parallel Circuit.
Step#2: Each student will complete the worksheets "Series
Circuit" and "Insulators and Conductors"