Flashlights and Batteries

Lesson Focus - Lesson focuses on the concept of electron flow through the demonstration of electrical circuits in a flashlight, and how batteries operate.

Lesson Synopsis - The Flashlights and Batteries activity explores how a flashlight works, showing the electric circuit and switch functions of this everyday household item. Students learn how batteries work, how they provide power to the simple circuit within the battery, and how the switch controls the flow of electrons. Students disassemble a flashlight, and draw a schematic of a flashlight's circuit design.

Age Levels - 7-11.

Objectives
Learn how switches control the flow of electricity.
Learn to draw basic electric schematic diagrams.
Learn how the electric circuit and battery within a flashlight operates.
Learn about teamwork and working in groups.

Lesson Activities - Students learn how batteries work, and explore the simple circuit system found in a standard flashlight. Topics examined include batteries, electron flow, switches, and bulbs. Students disassemble a flashlight and also document their findings by creating schematics of flashlight electric circuits.

Anticipated Learner Outcomes - As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:
batteries
switches
circuits and current
basic electrical schematic diagrams
teamwork

Resources/Materials
Teacher Resource Documents (included in PDF)
Student Handouts (included in PDF)
Materials (described in detail in PDF)

Alignment to Curriculum Frameworks
Curriculum alignment sheet is included in PDF.

Internet Connections
IEEE Teacher In-Service Program
IEEE Virtual Museum
IEEE Virtual Museum - Batteries
International Technology Education Association Standards for Technological Literacy
McREL Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks - a compilation of content
standards for K-12 curriculum in both searchable and browsable formats.
National Science Education Standards

Recommended Reading
Electricity (Make it Work! Science) (Two-Can Publishing LLC, ISBN: 1587283549)
Eyewitness Electricity, by Steve Parker (DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789455773)
How Science Works, by Judith Hann (Readers Digest, ISBN: 0762102497)
The Usborne Book of Batteries & Magnets (How to Make Series), by Paula Borton
Vicky Cave (E D C Publications, ISBN: 074602083X)

References
IEEE Teacher In-Service Program