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Learn the basics for circuits.

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For each student participating, prepare:

Small electric buzzer (2V)
Materials (e.g., insulated wire, metal paper clips, or aluminum foil)
9V alkaline battery with snap connector
Tape
Switch materials (e.g., large plastic drinking straws, kitchen sponges, or other compressible, non-conductive materials)
Scissors
Mat (e.g., doormat, bath mat, or large towel)
Optional: wire cutter/stripper

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Have materials prepared in advance.

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To begin this activity, introduce the topic to students by asking your students: \"What is an electric current? A circuit? What are batteries used for in a circuit?\" (In a circuit, a current flows in a complete loop, for instance from a battery, along one wire, through a device such as a buzzer or light bulb, then along another wire and back to the battery. An electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge past a point or region. An electric current is said to exist when there is a net flow of electric charge through a region).
Ask students if they have ever wanted to keep a sibling or other person out of their rooms. Then introduce the challenge: Create an alarm that sounds when someone enters your room.
Divide the students into small groups and hand out the buzzer, conductive materials, and battery. Guide them to use the materials provided to design and build a circuit that will sound the buzzer. Have them discuss first before digging in.
Once they accomplish completing a circuit, ask each group to brainstorm ways to build a new circuit. This one should have a switch that closes the circuit when someone steps on it. Think about different ways to design the two parts of the circuit so they touch when the alarm is stepped on, but stay separate when there’s no pressure. Keep in mind that the circuit will ultimately be used as a room alarm, so it should be long enough to place in front of a door opening, and flat enough so it can be hidden under a mat or rug.
Next, Have students test their designs by placing the alarm system under a mat or folded towel. If the alarm doesn’t work, encourage students to redesign and make changes.
At the end, once all the teams have created a working alarm, discuss the designs.
- What are the basic parts of the circuit?
- How does the electrical current flow through it?
- Did they first try a design that didn’t work?
- What did they do to make it work better?

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Building a Buzzer Alarm

Building a Buzzer Alarm

Building a Buzzer Alarm

Overview