Camp: Let's Experiments With Circuits and Energy!

We will use child-friendly online simulators to build circuits. We will then apply principles to other components and determine if they conduct flow or not. This is a multi week course designed in a manner so that each day builds upon what the learner has seen and experienced the week previous.

Week 1: Lets talk about conductors and insulators! We're going to do a short lesson which includes a video, then we will do some experimenting in our online simulator to determine which items conduct electricity and which serve as insulators.  We will use two different simulators which I will mirror to your learners screen. (No outside weblinks will be required) 

Week 2 : Now we know what conducts electricity so lets put our knowledge to the test! Let's talk about what we need for a complete circuit and make a light up circuit using aluminium foil, a 9V batter and as many LED lights as we think we can make light up.  (Part of science is exploring theories).  I'll introduce your learner to series circuits and some craft ideas will be posted in the classroom after this class so they can bring science to life for greeting cards etc. 

Week 3: Who would've thought food and electricity can mix!?  Crazy right? Well, lets see what household fruits/veggies will conduct.  Do you have a potato?  How about an orange or a lemon?  Lets grab a piece of fruit or a veggie from the fridge and talk about how food conducts electricity! If you don't want to use food I will also be demonstrating how PLAY DOUGH is actually a conductor! Crazy isn't it?  Who knew that Play-Dough could make a fun and interesting circuit?

Week 4: Force and Motion!  Let's experiment with force and motion through the use of simulators and a physical experiment.  If you have a ball or several small balls (bouncy ball, tennis ball, baseball for example) and something that can function as a ramp (binder, clip board etc) please bring those items to class.  It's most fun when we can experiment together but all experiments will be duplicated through online simulations so that no one is left out of the fun!  

Week 5: Today we will focus on three types of energy: Potential, Kinetic and Thermal.  After learning the difference between these energies we will move into a simulator to create a really cool skate park!  This will build off of the previous weeks lesson of 'force and motion' in a fun and creative way.