Support Material
Suggested Circuit Equipment
The resources required will vary depending upon the learning experiences you and your class are
involved in during your particular learning journey. However, some basic circuit kit is suggested
below that would allow learners to work practically to discover more about circuits and how they work.
It is recommended that there is enough equipment for learners to share and explore in small groups.
Circuit equipment could include:
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screw-in bulb holders
battery holders
lamps/bulbs (different voltage bulbs can be bought cheaply from education suppliers allowing
for the exploration of what happens when a bulb blows and why)
1.5 V cells
batteries of different voltage 4.5V, 6V, 9V (notice multiples of 1.5 V)
crocodile-clip wires
wire that can be cut to size
wire strippers
electric buzzers (some buzzers are one way devices and will only work if wired up correctly in
the circuit)
electric motors and motor holders
propellers
switches of different kinds e.g. toggle switches, pressure switches
split pins, paper clips, plastic card
a variety of objects made of different materials e.g. plastic, metal, wood, glass
a collection of different types of metals e.g. different coins, steel paper clips, copper wire
objects which may cause learners to puzzle and explore e.g. pipe cleaners which have metal
on the inside and cotton on the outside, metal objects which have paint on them e.g. certain
kinds of water bottle, paper clips that are painted
Suggested Equipment for the Electrifying Games Engineering Challenge
• 3-volt motor (the kind with gear attached to shaft)
• AA cell in a holder
• cardboard
• rubber washer (2cm or larger)
• paper clips
• duct tape
• wire strippers
• aluminium foil
• 2 craft sticks
• hook-up wire (e.g., 22-gauge, stranded)
• paint stirrer
• ping pong ball
Alternatively, suggested kit for the Beat the Goalie, Pizza Box challenge is provided in this
PowerPoint from the Young engineers and science clubs Scotland website.
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/STEMCentral