PAPER CIRCUIT LIGHT UP ROBOT is a great STEAM ART LESSON or HOMESCHOOL lab project. There are some cute ROBOT books to tie into this lesson as well.
I have had students do this lesson as part of their Homeschool book club, while reading THE WILD ROBOT, by Peter Brown
This project can be done with out the PAPER CIRCUIT and just be a great Robot Art Lesson.
Middle school STEAM ART project. Usually takes 3 classes to complete.
All materials for paper circuits can be ordered on AMAZON
MATERIALS:
- CARD STOCK, BRISTOL or PAINTING PAPER
- SHARPIE
- COLOR PENCIL
- 1/4 in.COPPER TAPE
- LED LIGHTS
- 3V LITHIUM CELL BATTERIES
- SCOTCH TAPE
- WHITE PAINT (optional)
I spend a class reviewing shapes, form and shading and have them brainstorm robot ideas on scratch paper. And then the following class, give students free rein to create their robot drawings, using 3-dimensional shapes. Make a plan for where the LED light or lights are going to be.
Draw the robot on card stock or bristol. Sharpie outline drawing and color in with color pencil. We use a bit of white paint for the highlights, not necessary though.
Poke a hole with the tip of a pencil to place the LED lights in, and then we make the paper circuit on the back of the paper.
I usually spread out this lesson over 3 hour long classes, but it can be simplified to be done in just one class period.
There’s a ton of diagrams out there on paper circuits. GOOGLE, to find a clear diagram to print out for students to reference.
HERE’S SOME GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW WHILE CREATING THE CIRCUIT:
- COPPER TAPE MUST OVERLAP AT CORNERS
- LED LIGHT HAS 2 WIRES STICKING OUT, short – / long +
- BATTERY MUST OVERLAP COPPER TAPE
- TAPE BATTERY IN PLACE WITH SCOTCH TAPE ON EDGES SO TOP OF BATTERY IS EXPOSED
- BATTERY + SIDE UP ON THE – CIRCUIT
- + SIDE OF CIRCUIT MUST BE ABLE TO FOLD OVER TO TOUCH THE BATTERY. THAT’S THE ON/OFF SWITCH FOR THE LIGHT
This is a trial and error project. The paper circuits are finicky. Everything has to be just right for them to light up. It’s a great problem-solving activity.
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