Students at Fremont Bergan Catholic School recently had the opportunity to bring science, creativity, and a little holiday cheer together during a hands-on electricity lesson led by Prairie STEM. Intermediate students explored the fundamentals of electrical circuits by designing and building their own lighted Christmas cards using conductive nylon tape, LEDs, and coin batteries.
The activity introduced students to the core concept of a simple electrical circuit—a path that allows electricity to flow from a power source, through a conductor, and back again. Students learned that for an LED light to glow, the circuit must be complete. Through guided instruction and experimentation, they discovered how conductive tape can act like a wire, carrying electricity from the battery to the LED and back.
What made this lesson especially engaging was how it was scaffolded for different grade levels. Each grade built upon the same core concept while adding a new level of challenge:
- Younger intermediate students focused on understanding the basic components of a circuit—battery, conductor, and LED—and how to arrange them so the light would turn on.
- Older students refined their designs, learning about polarity and how the orientation of an LED affects whether it lights up.
- Sixth grade students took the lesson a step further by adding a switch to their circuits, allowing them to control when their card’s light turned on and off. This introduced students to the concept of open and closed circuits, a foundational principle in electrical engineering.
Beyond the science, the lesson also encouraged problem-solving, creativity, and persistence. Students quickly learned that circuits sometimes require troubleshooting. If a light didn’t turn on, they investigated connections, checked LED placement, and tested their conductive pathways. These moments of discovery helped reinforce the engineering mindset—test, adjust, and try again.
By the end of the session, students proudly held their glowing holiday cards, each one a unique blend of art, engineering, and scientific understanding. What may have looked like a festive craft project was actually a powerful lesson in electricity, circuitry, and applied STEM learning.
Activities like this highlight how hands-on STEM experiences help students see science not just as something in a textbook, but as something they can build, explore, and bring to life—sometimes with the flip of a switch.
Prairie STEM is grateful for the opportunity to work with the wonderful students and educators at Fremont Bergan and looks forward to continuing to spark curiosity and innovation in the classroom. ✨🔋💡
