National Geographic Epic Circuits Science Kit

Projects 1-3: Basic Circuits with RGB Light

Project 1: Build an Electrical Circuit

Connect the positive (+) terminal of the power block to the positive terminal of the RGB light using a wire. Complete the circuit by connecting a wire from the 'R' port of the RGB light to the negative (-) port of the power block. This creates a closed circuit.

Circuit Science: A closed circuit is a complete path for electricity to flow from the positive pole to the negative pole.

Project 2: Open Circuit

Disconnect one wire from Project 1 to create an open circuit. This is an incomplete path, and the RGB light loses power.

Did You Know? RGB is short for Red, Green, and Blue, the colors the light can make.

Project 3: Use the Toggle Switch to Turn the Light On and Off

Connect the toggle switch into the circuit from Project 1. Use the switch to power the RGB light on and off.

Circuit Science: The light switch on your wall is an example of a toggle switch opening and closing an electrical circuit.

Did You Know? The knife switch was common in the late 1800s to early 1900s and works by connecting a metal blade to create a closed circuit.

Projects 4-7: Controlling the RGB Light with Switches

Project 4: Push for Power

Use a button switch. Press and hold the button to allow electricity to flow. Release the button to break the connection. (Example: Doorbell)

Project 5-7: Control the RGB Light

Use a dial switch to adjust the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit. Observe how the RGB light changes. For Project 6, connect a wire to the 'G' port. For Project 7, connect to the 'B' port.

Circuit Science: The volume control on a radio is an example of a dial switch.

Projects 8-11: Combining Colors and Creating White Light

Project 8-10: Combine Colors with the T-Wire

Use a T-wire to connect the RGB light's ports (R and B for Project 8, B and G for Project 9, G and R for Project 10). Turn the dial switch to change colors.

Circuit Science: The red light requires less voltage than green and blue. Adjusting voltage with the dial changes color intensity.

Project 11: Make the RGB Light Turn White

Use two T-wires to connect all four ports of the RGB light. Turn the dial switch to full power and press the button switch to observe white light.

Circuit Science: The RGB light uses an additive color model. When R, G, and B lights combine at equal, maximum intensity, they create white.

Projects 12-15: Fan and Fan Art

Project 12-14: Spin, Spin, Spin the Fan!

Assemble the spinner module and fan. Project 12: Use a toggle switch to turn on the circuit and spin the fan. Project 13: Replace the toggle switch with a dial switch to control fan speed. Project 14: Replace the dial switch with a button switch; press and release to observe speed changes.

Project 15: Create Fan Art

Draw lines on sticky notes, cut them into pieces, and attach them to the fan blades. Use the dial switch to spin the papers and observe the visual effects.

Projects 16-21: Airflow, Floating Balls, and Bubbles

Project 16-17: Regulate Air Speed + Float a Ball

Use the multifunction module and funnel. Project 16: Adjust the dial switch to control airflow strength. Project 17: Use the circuit from Project 16 with the foam ball. Hold the ball above the funnel and adjust the dial to keep it afloat. (Note: Do not connect the vacuum filter and hose connector).

Project 18-21: Defy Airflow + Catch a Ball + Blow Bubbles!

Project 18: Float a ball and try to pass it through the copter blades. Project 19: Float a ball and land it on a bubble wand, then position the wand over the funnel. Project 20: Use the circuit from Project 19, adjust airflow, dip the bubble wand in bubble solution, and make bubbles above the funnel. Project 21: Use the circuit from Project 19 and reduce airflow speed to make large bubbles.

Projects 22-24: Vacuum Cleaner and Goal Scoring

Project 22-23: Create a Vacuum Cleaner + Adjust the Vacuum's Power

Assemble the multifunction module for vacuuming. Project 22: Use the vacuum tube to suck up small paper pieces. Project 23: Add a dial switch to the circuit and observe how vacuum power changes with the dial.

Project 24: Score a Goal

Use the circuit from Project 22. Color a foam ball like a soccer ball. Create a goal with tape. Use the vacuum's suction power to pull the ball across the goal line.

Projects 25-27: Copter Launch and Circuit Types

Project 25: Launch a Copter

Assemble the spinner module and copter. Use a toggle switch to provide electrical current to the spinner module and launch the copter.

Circuit Science: Series circuits have electricity flowing sequentially. Parallel circuits allow electricity to flow along different pathways.

Project 26: Create a Colorful Spinning Parallel Circuit

Assemble the spinner module and fan. Build a circuit with an RGB light, spinner module, fan, button switch, and T-wires. Observe if components still function when others are disconnected.

Project 27: Alternate Between a Series Circuit and a Parallel Circuit

Assemble the spinner module and fan. Build a circuit with an RGB light, spinner module, fan, toggle switch, button switch, and T-wires. Experiment with toggle switch states (on/off) and button switch presses to create series and parallel circuits.

Circuit Science: LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are energy-efficient and can last over 20 years.

Projects 28-30: Logic Gates

Project 28: Create an "AND" Logic Gate

Use an RGB light, button switch, and toggle switch. Turn on the toggle switch; observe the light. Turn off the toggle switch and press the button; observe the light. Press both switches simultaneously; observe the light. An AND gate requires both switches to be on for an action.

Circuit Science: Logic gates control electricity flow. An AND gate requires all switches to be on for an effect.

Project 29: Build a Two-Switch Copter Launch

Assemble the spinner module and copter. Build an "AND" gate circuit using a toggle switch and a button switch. Press and hold the button switch and turn on the toggle switch simultaneously to launch the copter.

Circuit Science: A combination lock is an example of an AND gate; all conditions must be met.

Project 30: Create an "OR" Logic Gate

Assemble the spinner module and copter. Build an "OR" gate circuit using a toggle switch and a button switch with T-wires. If either the toggle switch OR the button switch is on, electricity will flow and launch the copter.

Circuit Science: An OR gate allows electricity to flow if at least one switch is on.

Projects 31-32: Traffic Light and Bubble Machine

Project 31: Build a Traffic Light

Build an "OR" gate circuit using an RGB light, toggle switch, button switch, and T-wire. Observe the RGB light when only the toggle is on, only the button is pressed, or both are active.

Circuit Science: A TV remote's "Power" button is an OR gate; it works if the remote button OR the TV's physical button is pressed.

Project 32: Build a Colorful Bubble Machine

Assemble the multifunction module to blow air. Build a circuit with an RGB light, toggle switch, bubble wand, and funnel. Make bubbles with the multifunction module and blow them towards the RGB light. Observe how the bubble colors change based on the RGB light's color.

Projects 33-34: Bubble Turbines

Project 33: Build a Bubble Turbine

Assemble the multifunction module to blow air. Build a circuit with a spinner module, fan, bubble wand, toggle switch, and T-wires. Blow bubbles towards the fan and observe their interaction.

Project 34: Build the Ultimate Colorful Bubble Turbine

Assemble the multifunction module to blow air, and the spinner module and fan. Build a circuit with an RGB light, toggle switch, bubble wand, and T-wires. Blow bubbles towards the fan and observe the colors they reflect from the RGB light.

Projects 35-36: Multiple Logic Gates and Current Control

Project 35: Create a Circuit with Multiple Logic Gates

Assemble modules and build a circuit with an AND logic gate (button switch) and two OR logic gates (dial switch, toggle switch). Experiment with different configurations.

Project 36: Increase and Decrease Electrical Current

Assemble modules. Ensure toggle and dial switches are off. Turn the dial to full power and note current usage. Turn on the toggle switch and observe changes in power.

Projects 37-39: Fiber Optic Light and Logic Gate Control

Project 37: Power on a Fiber Optic Light

Assemble the light module and fiber optic bundle. Use a dial switch to increase current and start the light show.

Project 38-39: Light Up the Fiber Optic Bundle with a Three Switch Logic Gate

Assemble the light module and fiber optic bundle. Project 38: Flip the toggle switch on and turn the dial switch to full power to illuminate the light. Project 39: With the toggle switch on and dial switch off, press and hold the button switch to power the light.

Projects 40-41: Passthrough and Dazzling Vacuum

Project 40: Build a Purple Spinning Circuit with the Passthrough

Assemble the spinner module and fan. Build a circuit using the passthrough, RGB light, dial switch, and button switch. Experiment with switch states to observe effects on the fan and RGB light.

Circuit Science: The passthrough is a 3-way port that allows current to flow through unmodified.

Project 41: Build a Dazzling Vacuum Cleaner

Assemble the multifunction module for vacuuming, and the light module with fiber optic bundle. Build a circuit using the passthrough, vacuum filter, vacuum tube, and toggle switch. Turn the toggle switch on to start the dazzling vacuum.

Projects 42-43: Color-Changing Light Show and Tri-Module Circuit

Project 42: Build a Color-Changing Light Show

Assemble the light module and fiber optic bundle. Build a circuit with the passthrough, RGB light, and dial switch. Turn out the lights and turn the dial to full power. Observe the light show and experiment with different RGB light colors.

Project 43: Build a Tri-Module Circuit

Assemble the multifunction module to blow air, and the light module with fiber optic bundle. Build a circuit with the spinner module, fan, and dial switch. Turn the dial to full power to activate modules and try to float the ball.

Projects 44-45: Image Projector and Lightning Facts

Project 44: Power Up the Projector

Assemble the light module and image projector. Make the room dark and turn on the toggle switch to project images. Use this diagram for subsequent projects exploring electricity facts.

Project 45: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Lightning

Fact: Lightning is caused by collisions of ice particles in storm clouds, creating electrical charges. A bolt of lightning has up to 300 million volts, compared to 120 volts in homes.

Fill in the Blank: A bolt of lightning has up to ______ million volts.

Projects 46-51: Space and Celestial Electricity Facts

Project 46: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Aurora Borealis

Fact: Energized particles from solar flares interact with Earth's atmosphere to create the Aurora Borealis, which can cause electromagnetic disruptions.

Fill in the Blank: ______ particles from solar flares or solar winds interacting with atoms in Earth's atmosphere create the Aurora Borealis.

Project 47: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Comet

Fact: A comet has an ion tail and a dust tail. The ion tail is made of electrically charged particles carried by the solar wind and typically glows blue.

Fill in the Blank: The ion tail of a comet typically glows ______.

Project 48: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Space Shuttle

Fact: NASA's space shuttles used hydrogen fuel cells to create electricity, with water as a byproduct.

Fill in the Blank: The byproduct of the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen ______.

Project 49: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Astronaut

Fact: Astronauts rely on electricity for essential functions in their spacesuits, powering life support, communication, and cooling systems.

Fill in the Blank: Astronauts rely on ______ for many of the essential functions of their spacesuits.

Project 50: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Moon

Fact: The moon's surface is negatively charged due to solar winds, causing dust to suspend above it.

Fill in the Blank: Researchers have found that the surface of the moon is ______ charged.

Project 51: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Sun

Fact: Solar panels convert the sun's energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells.

Fill in the Blank: We use ______ to turn energy from the sun into electricity.

Projects 52-53: Galaxy Facts and Projector Game

Project 52: Epic Electricity Facts + Fill-in-the-Blanks: Galaxy

Fact: Galaxies are home to plasma, which scientists believe makes up 99.9% of the visible universe.

Fill in the Blank: Scientists believe that up to ______ of the visible universe is plasma.

Project 53: Play the Flash Projector Game

Assemble the light module and image projector. Play a game with a partner: select an image, turn the toggle switch on, and quickly press the button. Guess the projected image.

Projects 54-55: Faulty Circuits and Morse Code

Project 54: Create + Fix a Faulty Circuit

Assemble the spinner module and fan. Build a circuit with RGB light, toggle switch, and button switch. Observe the fan and RGB lamp's behavior when switches are manipulated. Explain phenomena and revise the circuit.

Project 55: Use Morse Code to Send a Message

Build a circuit with an RGB light and a button switch. Simulate the SOS distress signal by pressing the button three times short, three times long, and three times short.

Projects 56-57: Multi-Switch Circuit and Puzzles

Project 56: Build a 3-Switch, Color-Changing Circuit

Build a circuit with an RGB light, passthrough, toggle switch, dial switch, button switch, and T-wires. Experiment with switch combinations to create different colors.

Project 57: Crossword Puzzle

Complete the crossword puzzle using terms related to circuits and electricity.

Projects 58-61: Circuit Challenges

Project 58: What's Missing?

Match the circuits to their missing pieces shown below.

Project 59: Maze

Find your way through the maze to complete the circuit.

Project 60: Untangle the Wires!

Trace the wires through the tangle to figure out which ones connect to the RGB Module to make it glow.

Project 61: Word Search

Find the listed circuit-related terms in the word search grid.

Project 62: Design Your Own Circuit

1. Write down an idea of what you want your circuit to do.

2. Draw wires between the parts to determine how electricity will flow.

3. Build the circuit and test if your idea works!

Answers

Fill-in-the-Blank Answers: 45-LIGHTNING: 300; 46-AURORA BOREALIS: ENERGIZED; 47-COMET: BLUE; 48-SPACE SHUTTLE: WATER; 49-ASTRONAUT: ELECTRICITY; 50-MOON: NEGATIVELY; 51-SUN: SOLAR PANELS; 52-GALAXY: 99.9%

Crossword Answers: 1. SERIES; 2. RGB; 3. WIRE; 4. SWITCH; 5. OR; 6. PARALLEL; 7. AND; 8. LED

What's Missing? Answers: (Visual matching)

Maze Answer: (Visual path)

Untangle the Wires Answer: (Visual tracing)

Word Search Answer: (Grid with words found)