You Will Need
Provided Resources
- Enquiry questions - ‘What if’ cards
- Sample circuit diagrams
Additional resources
- Electrical circuit sets
- Range of festive lights
- Images of decorations
Playing with electricity
Science Year 6
This unit is part of
Year 6 Science Electric Celebrations
Objectives
Using your planning meeting outcomes from Session 1 to set up some exploratory circuits to identify how they work and how to achieve a range of effects.
Science Objectives
i) Associate the brightness of a lamp or the volume of a buzzer with the number and voltage of cells used in the circuit.
Working Scientifically
- Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary.
- Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
- Record data and results of increasing complexity using tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs.
- Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests.
Extended Writing Opportunity
Explanation: Carry out a series of enquiries that explore the effects of voltage on electrical circuit components and write up your findings, causal relationships and explanations in a written report.
Lesson Planning
Teaching
- Set up a series of enquiries that explore electrical circuits and various effects.
- Record findings in tables and graphs.
- Investigate examples of festive lights, identifying key features.
- Develop ideas and circuits that reflect the design success criteria.
Activities
- Carry out a series of enquiries that explore the effects of voltage on electrical circuit components.
- Record and present results graphically.
- Look at examples of festive lights and list key features.
- Create annotated drawings to represent their design ideas.
Investigation - exploring, fair testing, pattern seeking
Investigate the effects of voltage and number of components on a working circuit.
Vocabulary
Electricity, electrical circuit, complete circuit, circuit diagram, circuit symbol, components, cell, battery, positive/negative, terminal, connect/connection, loose connection, short circuit, wire, crocodile clip, bulb, bright/dim, switch, buzzer, volume, motor, fast(er)/slow(er), voltage, current, resistance, scatter diagram, investigation, causal relationship