An Electricity Experiment for 5th Graders

Allowing children an opportunity to explore the flow of electricity through a circuit can be safely done using four simple items. Children can predict and test ways to successfully light a small light bulb in a trial-and-error method of channeling the current from a battery. This easy experiment can spark an interest for a deeper exploration into the science of electricity.

Setting Up the Experiment

Present partners or a small team of students with the following materials -- one D-cell battery, two 3-inch lengths of insulated electrical wire with ends stripped, a flashlight bulb and a roll of masking tape. Challenge teams with the task of making the bulb light up by arranging the bulb, battery and wire to connect to one another, with the tape securing the contacts. Encourage multiple configurations and let the students develop questions before providing answers.

Develop the Procedure

Each team should plan three ways to arrange the battery, bulb and wire using the masking tape to hold pieces together. As a way to chart the experiments, have children make a simple three-column data table with the headings: “Arrangement of Wire, Battery and Bulb,” “Drawing” and “Observation.” Ask the students to record all possible arrangements as they test their attempts to make the bulb light up. Simple drawings of the arrangements should accompany the information on the data table. The column titled “Observation” should be left blank until the arranged materials are actually assembled and tested.

Conduct the Exploration

After the three possible arrangements of wire, bulb and battery have been charted on the data table, allow students to test each assembly and record the result in the “Observation” column. Did the bulb light up or not? Even if students are successful in lighting the bulb with the first attempted arrangement, require them to test all three predictions before coming to any conclusions. Students should have found that by taping one end of the wire to the flat, or negative end of the battery and touching the base of the flashlight bulb to the positive end, the wire can be fastened to the side of the bulb's base to complete an electrical circuit. Alternatively, the wire could be cut into two pieces and taped against the two opposite ends of the battery with the other ends touching the base and side of the bulb. It's important for children to ensure that the wire is connected to the very bottom of the bulb's base and the other end to the side of the base in order to complete the circuit.

Draw a Conclusion

After students have completed all three attempts, bring the teams together to discuss the outcome. Students will have discovered that the battery, wires and bulb must be connected in a circle, with the wires making contact between the metal end of the bulb and each end pole of the battery so that a circuit is created. Only when the materials are joined in a circle can electricity from the source of power -- the battery -- push an electrical current along the filament in the wire through the light bulb and back to the power source.