US Department of Energy
Electric Avenue: Parallel and Series Circuits
Can you infer the wiring diagram of a series of lights based on their behavior alone? Scholars work with multiple boxes of four lights. They must flip the switch and decide how the lights are wired. By applying their knowledge of...
Physics Classroom
Series Circuits: ∆V=I•R Calculations
Better than some television series, parallel series circuits provide practice for calculations. Scholars work through a series of problems, each progressively more difficult. They apply knowledge of voltage calculations, resistors, and...
Curated OER
Electric Circuits
Experiment with electric circuits and conductivity. Young scientists will model and discuss how an electric circuit works. First they will draw a model of the flow of electrons and then build an actual circuit. Finally, they will explain...
Curated OER
Circuit Math
Seven circuits are spread over three pages. One is a parallel circuit, one is a series circuit, and the rest are combinations. Emergent electrical engineers solve for current, voltage, or resistance. They fill in a chart for each...
Consumers Energy
Circuits and the Flow of Electricity Lesson Plan
I think I lost an electron. Are you sure? Yes, I'm positive! Starting with a hands-on demonstration and problem solving activity, young scientists define vocabulary related to circuitry and currents. Then they build their own circuits...
Teach Engineering
How a Hybrid Works
Work with your class to connect series and parallel circuits to hybrid cars. The lesson introduces basic circuit diagrams before having scholars apply the understanding of the difference between parallel and series circuits to hybrid cars.
Bonneville
Introduction to Circuits
Light up the class's knowledge. Pupils build a simple circuit using a battery, wire, and a light bulb and create a diagram of their circuit. The teacher provides a short lecture on a complete circuit, calling attention to the direction...
Bowels Physics
Electric Circuits
Investigate the construction of the electric circuit with a thorough presentation that provides a solid background for each type of circuit. After introducing key vocabulary, the lesson goes on to explain circuit design.
Curated OER
Series or Parallel?
Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...
Curated OER
Casual Patterns in Simple Circuits
Young scholars work in cooperative pairs to create a series circuit and a parallel circuit. Students compare and contrast the two different types of circuits using worksheets that are included.
Curated OER
Electrical Circuits
Students compare series and parallel circuits. In this electricity and circuits instructional activity, students roleplay as a "wire" passing an energy ball to demonstrate how a series circuit works and how the circuit can be broken....
Curated OER
Electrical Circuits
Wow! Here is a coherent and cleverly designed tool for teaching physical scientists about electric circuits. Animations help learners to visualize what is happening within the parts of a circuit. Components are displayed to teach them...
Curated OER
Series and Parallel Circuits
Electricians draw four different circuits and answer questions about the resistance, voltage drop, and current at different points in each. Completing this instructional activity will help make sure that your class is understanding what...
Curated OER
Series and Parallel Circuits
Fourth graders explore electrical circuits. In this electrical circuit instructional activity, 4th graders research the history of the use of light and read a biography regarding Benjamin Franklin. Students the build basic circuits,...
Curated OER
Ohm's Law I
Students work to increase the intensity of a light bulb by testing batteries in series and parallel circuits. They analyze Ohm's Law, power, parallel and series circuits, and ways to measure voltage and current.
Curated OER
Electrical Circuits
Students explore parallel and series circuits. In this electrical circuit lesson, students investigate the differences between series and parallel circuits. Students observe the benefits and drawbacks of series and parallel circuits.
Curated OER
Electricity and Electrical Circuits
Students are introduced to electricity and electrical circuits. In groups, they draw circuit diagrams, complete a KWL chart and discover the difference between open, closed and series circuits. They define new vocabulary and make...
Curated OER
Series or Parallel?
Emerging electricians extend mental models of light bulbs and resistors in series and or in parallel circuits to include the connection of photovoltaic cells in arrays. They investigate open circuits, using a DC voltmeter, a light...
Curated OER
Series and Parallel AC circuits
In this AC circuits worksheet, students answer 75 questions about series and parallel circuits including building and analyzing their own circuit mathematically, interpreting schematics of AC circuits and finding total impedance of...
Curated OER
Circuit Boards
Learners explore circuits. For this electricity science lesson, students build a circuit board after viewing a related PowerPoint presentation. Detailed instructions are included.
Curated OER
Exploring Electricity - Four Activities
These are four classic activities used for instructing upper elementary electricians. The first involves experimenting with the Van de Graaff generator. The second is a series of hands-on experiences with static. In the third activity,...
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #5 - Build a Simple Ammeter
Emerging electricians build a simple ammeter for making measurements on an electric current. They test the placement of solar cells in both series and parallel circuits and examine the magnetic field produced by the movement of electrons...
Curated OER
Simple Circuit: Electric Currents and Circuits
Through inquiry and exploration, 4th graders will learn and understand the functions of open and closed circuits. They will break into 2 groups, define vocabulary, hypothesize how to light a bulb, then test their hypothesis 4 different...
Curated OER
Electricity and Magnetism
The standard basics of electricity are detailed in this clear-cut collection of slides. Straightforward explanations are offered for static electricity, series and parallel circuits, conductors, insulators, and resistance. Some animation...