Light bulb experiment

With our science and design and technology KS2 lesson plan teaching resource, learners will perform an experiment to learn how filament light bulbs and basic electricity works.

Inspired by the theme of the Victorians, this activity supports the teaching of design and technology in context by looking at the key events that defined the Victorian era, and how they have influenced engineering developments and society today.

In this classroom activity learners will learn about the Victorian era and the changes to how people lived and worked during this time. They will learn about how Thomas Edison invented the first practical light bulb before building a simple light bulb circuit to investigate how it works.

This teaching resource activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach learners about the influence of historical events on engineering and society as a whole. It could also be used as part of a wider scheme of learning focusing on the history of design, technology and engineering, alongside other Victorian themed IET resources.

We’ve created this teaching resource design activity to support the delivery of key topics within science, history, design & technology (D&T) and engineering.

Activity: Learn about how filament light bulbs and basic electricity works
Learners will discuss what the Victorian era was, when it occurred and why it was such an important period of time. They will learn about Thomas Edison’s light bulb and then build a bulb circuit and prove that it works.

Tools/supplies needed:
AA battery and holder
1.5 V lamp and holder
Red crocodile clip
Black crocodile clip
Pens and pencils
Lined paper

The Engineering Context
Understanding about the history of engineering and design helps engineers to learn from past successes and mistakes. For example, learning about electric lighting helps us to understand the science behind these ideas and how this can be used and developed to make better products in future.

Suggested learning outcomes
This resource combines Science, Design and Technology and Engineering with History, with the aim that the learners will be able to make a simple light bulb circuit and understand how a simple light bulb circuit works.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
All classroom activity sheets and supporting teaching resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

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

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