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Resources

Tangible Resources

Basic electronic components, board, electronics equipment

Human Resources

Electronics specialist

Preparation

Source a suitably qualified electronics teacher, acquire materials, make examples for circuits.

Goals, messages & concepts

Specific goals

  • To learn how to work with basic electronics.
  • To be a reflective learner by developing your skill with each attempt.

Specific messages

  • It is good to try new things.
  • Failure is a valuable part of designing which you can learn from.

Main terms

  • electronics
  • concept development

Practices & skills

STEM practices

  • Developing and using models

Soft skills

  • Dealing with uncertainty
  • Learning failure is a part of learning
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Management skills

  • Use of resources

Course of activity

step 1

Introduction of guest teacher/expert

step 2

Assess prior knowledge

step 3

Establish safe working practices with soldering irons, glue-guns, etc.

step 4

Introducing the challenge – students will explore different electronic components by making an invisible number on a wooden board, visible using one or more components from a provided box with materials. (Sensors and switches, led-lights, copper wire, copper tape and soldering equipment)

  • Divide students in their own groups over classroom/workstations
  • Hand out electronics equipment and secret number task on a board (per group)
  • Make it visible with one or more electronics component through trial and error
  • When the hidden message is revealed, students should return to the teacher to request a new assignment 

step 5

The number on the board relates to the different examples of electronic circuits made by the guest teacher (see picture Learning Unit 5b - examples of basic electronics circuits made by guest teacher for students to recreate). Students look up their number and try to recreate the circuit with their group.

step 6

Students experiment with electronic circuits and try out the components

  • Students make a sketch of the example
  • Students organise electronic parts
  • Students check in with teacher to get a GO/NO GO 
  • Students are taught how to solder
  • Students solder parts together and test the circuit

step 7

Students can choose a different example and recreate another circuit.

step 8

Students get to freestyle with leftover electronic components.

step 9

Students present and discuss their work with the class.

step 10

Discuss and reflect on today’s class to determine learning outcomes.  Students should consider how they can use what they have learned and apply it to prototypes or models, and identify the components they will need.