Paper Circuits

1. What did we do?

For the paper circuits assignment, we created circuits with copper wire, a 3V battery and an led light. We made an illustration/collage on the top of the circuit so that our artwork could tell a story with the light that shines through when the switch is pressed.

Afterwards, we walked around the classroom and looked at the other students’ creations while they explained how and why they made it, also what would come next.

2. What did I learn?

I learned the three different circuits; parallel circuit which can have multiple led lights. The paper switch template which serves as almost a button that activates the electrical current when the copper wire is connected, and the simple circuit template, which is what we started off with to practice. This circuit is activated when the battery is pressed against the copper wire.

3. What do you want to know now?

I would like to know how to make a 3D sculpture using circuits to light it up. I would also like to learn how to make a sliding circuit and all of the possibilities with the different types of circuits that I could make.

4.How might we work with these tools in classrooms?

I think it would be interesting to merge this assignment with paper mâché. At first it would be a good idea to get students used to how circuits work and make 2D creations like we did in class, and then when students are comfortable with making different types of circuits, they could add lighting to their paper mâché creations.