Using electric circuits

• Ask the learners whether they think that it is important to have electricity.:
• At home; at school; in a shopping complex; etc.
• Factories; shops; petrol stations; bakeries; hair salons; etc.
• Transport (public); robots; pedestrians; etc.

• Show Video clip 1: Imagine a world without power. (1:51 min.).

• Greet the learners.
• Discuss how load shedding affects:
  • The learners at home; at school; in a shopping complex; etc.
  • Factories; shops; petrol stations; bakeries; hair salons; etc.
  • Transport (public); robots; pedestrians; etc.
  • Medical treatment
• Ask the learners why load shedding has been implemented.
• Ask the learners if they can use their imagination of living in a world without electricity.
• Tell the learners that the following video clip will depict
  • a world without electricity
  • how electricity is made
  • the role of an electrical engineer

• Show Video Clip 2: The Journey of Electrical Energy. (7:37 min.).

• The teacher gives the learners an opportunity to give the examples which they did not mention before watching the video clip.
• Reward the learner who can recall the most examples as an incentive.

• Present an overview of life without electricity by using Presentation 1: Life without electricity.

• Hand out Worksheet A: Reasons why we need electricity.
• Encourage the learners to spell their answers correctly.
• Allow the learners 10 minutes to complete the activity.
• Teacher to use WORKSHEET A: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Ask the learners to share their knowledge about circuits.
• Let them mention the different components.
• Ask volunteers to draw the symbols on the board.

• Present an overview of electrical circuits by using Presentation 2: Electrical circuits. This will refresh the learners’ minds about the circuits that have already been covered in topic 1.
• Tell the learners that they will be looking at 1 or more videos about toys that can be made.
• Show the following videos (teacher can decide):

Video Clip 3:  How to make a Robot Toy using proximity sensor and old CD. (4:33 min.).

Video Clip 4: How to make wind powered toy car for kids. (4:04 min.).

Video Clip 5: How to make a string guided flying bird. (5:44 min.).

Video Clip 6: How to make a Toy Robot Snake. (4:42 min.).

Video Clip 7: Rubber Band Powered Car 4 toothpicks 2 Straws 4 Bottle Caps. (14:31 min.).

• and out Worksheet B: Making a toy (This can be used as a group project – 4 to 6 learners).
• The learners can be allowed to make any toy, even one that was shown on the video clips 3-7. (The teacher must change the toy on the worksheet).
• Let the learners complete the worksheet.
• Teacher to use WORKSHEET B: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Show Video Link 8: How Electricity is produced – For Kids (11:06 min.).
• Learners complete QUIZ 1.
• Teacher to use QUIZ 1: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Tell the learners that they should have a good understanding about building a circuit.
• Present an overview of designing by using Presentation 3: Design.

• Learners complete QUIZ 2.
• Teacher to use QUIZ 2: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Present an overview of making a system by using Presentation 4: Time to make a system.
• Tell the learners that the two video clips that will follow, will give them a better idea of making an alarm.
• Show the Video Clip 9: How to make a simple door alarm. (2:26 min.).
• Show Video Clip 10: Extremely Simple Electronic Trip Wire. (2:39 min.).

• Hand out Worksheet C: Making an alarm.
• The learners can be allowed to make an alarm / doorbell.
• Let the learners complete worksheet C.
• Teacher to use WORKSHEET C: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.

• Learners complete WORKSHEET D: Wiring a South-African three-pronged plug.
• Teacher to use WORKSHEET D: Memorandum to mark the learners’ work.