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How to Create an Electric Circuit Maze for Elementary School

Elementary school students gain satisfaction from making things that work. After learning the basics of electricity and circuits, they can construct games to impress their friends, such as an electric circuit game. A closed, electrical circuit forms when electricity makes a complete loop without interruption from the power source, and back again. The flow of electricity, called the electrical current, travels in only one direction through materials called conductors. Conductors, such as copper wire, allow current to flow through them.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic battery holder that accommodates 2 size "D" batteries
  • 2 fresh size "D" batteries
  • Piece of corrugated cardboard, 7 1/2-inches by 3 1/4-inches
  • 24-inch piece of insulated #22 copper wire with ends stripped1-inch
  • 2, 10-inch piece of insulated #22 copper wire with ends stripped 1-inch
  • 24-inch piece of bare copper wire
  • Electrical tape
  • Utility shears or wire cutter
  • E10 bulb holder with bulb
  • 60, 1/2-inch brass fasteners (brads)
  • Steel finishing nail
  • Ruler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the center of the cardboard piece. Measure and make a mark 5/16 inch from this point in all four directions. Measure and mark 5/8 inch from each of four points. Continue to mark points 5/8 inch apart in straight rows and columns until you have five rows of 12 each.

    • 2

      Insert a brad fastener through the cardboard at each mark. Bend the fastener ends in opposite directions to lie flat on the back side of the cardboard

    • 3

      Attach a 10-inch piece of wire to the bare wire by twisting the ends together two or three times. Secure the connection in place on the back side of the cardboard with electrical tape. Wind the bare wire in a maze pattern around the base of the brass fasteners on the back side of the cardboard. Do not cross over a previously placed wire.

    • 4

      Connect the remaining end of the 10-inch wire to a lamp holder terminal by looping the bare end around the base of the screw and tightening the screw. Connect one end of the second 10-inch piece of wire to the remaining lamp holder terminal. Connect the remaining end of the 10-inch wire to the negative terminal on the battery holder.

    • 5

      Wrap one end of the 24-inch piece of wire in a tight coil around the length of the nail. Connect the remaining end of the wire to the positive battery terminal.

    • 6

      Touch the end of the nail on the heads of the brass fasteners to see which ones light the bulb. Remember the fasteners that worked, and continue trying to navigate the maze. Each time the bulb lights up, a circuit has been completed. Ask a friend to construct a different maze for you to solve.

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