Spread the battery clip, the lamp and the knife switch out on the board. Secure each component to the board with wood screws.
Connect a copper wire from the negative terminal on the battery clip to either terminal on the knife switch. Wrap the wire ends around the terminal screws and tighten the screws securely.
Connect another wire from the other knife switch terminal to a terminal on the lamp. Secure the two terminal screws.
Connect an additional wire from the other lamp terminal to the positive battery terminal. Tighten those terminal screws firmly to complete construction of electrical circuit project.
Flip the knife switch to the closed position to connect the simple light circuit and turn on the light. Explain to the children this works exactly like the electric light circuits in a home. Place another copper wire on top of the two wires connected to the battery to create a short circuit. Describe how that diverts the electrical current and keeps it from sending power to the light.