Series & Parallel Circuits

Grades 4-6

Through experiments students will learn about electrical circuits and the differences between series and parallel circuits. Students will turn their mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the circuits using our hand crank generators.

BNL Science Link: Coming Soon

Vocabulary
atom, electron, proton, neutron, current, knife switch, conductor, insulator, circuit, series and parallel

Lesson Objectives
1) Identify that an electrical circuit is the path of electron flow and current electricity is the flow of electrons.
2) Discover the difference between open and closed circuits.
3) Construct a series circuit with and without a switch.
4) Construct a parallel circuit and observe that the placement of the switch effects which bulbs light up.
5) Identify examples of series and parallel circuits in the real world.

National Science Education Standards
Content Standard A- Science as Inquiry
Content Standard B- Physical Science
New York State Learning Standards
Math, Science, Technology Standards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7

Arrange a Visit

Bibliography

Interactive Websites