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This activity is part of the FabConnectHer project, dedicated to empowering future female innovators through inspiration, skills and networks to make an impact in the field of STEAM through education, reemployment or entrepeneurship
The “Electronic Circuits with Conductive Dough” activity is a hands-on, interactive lesson designed to introduce students to the basics of electrical circuits using conductive dough (Play-Doh) and insulating dough (Jovi) and using resources from Squishy Circuits. Students will learn how to build simple circuits, differentiate between conductive and insulating materials, and create their own characters with embedded LEDs. This activity emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork, while connecting abstract concepts of electricity to real-world applications. It is designed for students aged 8–12 and integrates principles from Natural Sciences, Technology, Art, and Mathematics.
Understand the basic components of an electrical circuit:
Differentiate between conductive and insulating materials:
Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills:
Foster creativity and artistic expression:
Encourage teamwork and collaboration:
Build confidence in science and technology:
Connect learning to real-world applications:
This activity provides students with a foundational understanding of electrical circuits, their components, and how they work, while fostering creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. By building circuits with conductive and insulating dough, students not only learn key concepts like conductivity and resistance but also explore real-world applications, such as designing lights and electronic devices.
In this step, students will explore the basics of electrical circuits, learning about key components like LEDs, batteries, and wires. They will also distinguish between conductive and insulating materials, setting the foundation for building a character with conductive dough and lights.
Students will test various materials to determine if they are conductors or insulators. This hands-on activity reinforces the concept of electrical circuits and encourages curiosity as they classify materials based on their ability to conduct electricity.
Students will organize their findings by classifying materials as conductors or insulators in a table. This activity helps them visualize the differences between materials and strengthens their understanding of how conductivity works.
Students will use conductive and insulating dough to design and create their own character. They will carefully arrange the materials to ensure the conductive parts remain separated, preventing any short circuits in the process.
Students will insert the LED into their character and connect it to the battery, ensuring the correct placement of the positive and negative legs. Once properly connected, the LED will light up, completing the circuit.
Students will experiment with different circuit setups, such as series and parallel configurations. They will observe how these arrangements affect the brightness of the LEDs, deepening their understanding of circuit behavior.
Students will reflect on their learning experience by identifying which materials were conductive and discussing the challenges faced while building the circuit. They will also explore how the principles learned connect to everyday technology, concluding with an evaluation of the activity.
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