Squishy Circuits

Concept: Simple Circuits
A simple circuit is a complete course of conductors through which an electric current can travel. Circuits provide a closed path or loop for the current to flow. To be a circuit, this path must start and end at the same point.

Read Aloud: Squishy Circuits by Kristin Fontichiaro & Annmarie P. Thomas

Ingredients:

      ·         Conductive Dough
      ·         Insulating Dough
      ·         Piexoelectric Buzzer
      ·         Mechanical Buzzer
      ·         Electric Motor
      ·         Battery Pack
      ·         LEDs

 Demonstration:

      ·         Take a lump of insulating dough and shape it into the body of an animal.

      ·         Cover the entire surface of the body and one motor terminal with conductive dough.

      ·         Take another lump of insulating dough and shape it into the head of an animal.
      ·         Stick 2 LED eyes into the head.
      ·         Cover the head with conductive dough and make sure the bottom LED leads make contact with the body. Cover the other motor terminal and top LED leads with another section of conductive dough. 
      ·         Fill the remaining area with insulating dough and cover with conductive dough.
      ·         Attach a power source to animate the animal.

Experiment:

·         What happens if you use only conductive dough or only insulating dough?

·         What happens if you change the orientation of the LEDs?

Observations:
A squishy circuit starts and stops at the battery pack. The electric current flows through wires, conductive dough, and electrical components such as LEDs and motors.