Make a steady hand game

Prepare a suitable housing for the circuity, assemble the circuit and produce a wand and maze layout for the game

In this hands-on STEM project students will learn how to make and test a steady hand game circuit. They will prepare a suitable housing for the circuit, assemble the circuit themselves and produce a wand and maze layout for the game. This is a great way for primary school students to learn all about how simple circuits work and develop their understanding of what is meant by the terms ‘make’ and ‘break’ when referring to the flow of current around a circuit.

This could be used as a one-off activity or as part of a wider unit of work focusing on electricity and electrical circuits. It could also be used in conjunction with the IET Education Primary Poster – Circuits and Symbols.

This activity could be completed as individuals or in small groups, dependent on the tools, equipment and components available.

Tools/resources required
Plastic cups
350 mm lengths of 2 mm diameter copper wire
150 mm lengths of 2 mm diameter copper wire
150 mm lengths of 1 mm diameter copper wire
Multi strand insulated wire or crocodile clips
Solder
9 V batteries and clips
9 V buzzers with wires
Masking and/or insulating tape
Double sided tape and/or sticky pads
Pillar drill or electric hand drill
2 mm drill bits
Soldering equipment (soldering irons, stands, sponges)
Wire cutters and strippers
Safety glasses

The engineering context
Engineers need to be able to understand how basic electrical circuits work. This includes current flow, voltage and how to ‘make’ and ‘break’ circuits. This knowledge could be used when investigating, designing or making electrical and electronic circuits in the future.

Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity students will have an understanding of the terms ‘make and break’ when they refer to simple circuits. They will also be able to assemble, fit and test a simple circuit for a steady hand game and they will be able to safely and accurately drill holes in plastic.

Download the activity sheets for free!

All activity sheets, worksheets and supporting resources are free to download, printable and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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