Science is the study of the natural and human-made world, including how and why things happen.

A scientist is a person who learns about science and carries out enquiries.

An engineer is a person who designs, tests and builds things.

The findings of a test or enquiry is another way to describe the results of a test or enquiry or what was found out.

An electrician solves wiring problems, checks if circuits have been built incorrectly and repairs broken appliances.

Working with electricity

Science

In this Simple electrical circuits unit, pupils learn to construct a simple series electrical circuit, identifying and naming its basic parts. In the Changing circuits unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn to compare and give reasons for variations in how components function in a simple circuit

In the Everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to identify and name a variety of everyday materials, including wood, plastic, glass and metal. In this Simple electrical circuits unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise some common conductors and insulators, and associate metals with being good conductors

This unit covers constructing simple series electrical circuits, identifying parts like cells, wires, and switches, and recognising conductors and insulators. It also explores how circuits work with lamps and switches. The emphasis is on practical enquiries, making observations, and presenting data.

Simple electrical circuits

involve decisions based on scientific knowledge or understanding

Match the phrase with the definition to explain the difference between “doing” and “using” science. 

meteorologist – a person who studies patterns in weather

weather presenter – a person who explains the weather on TV

Match the phrase with the job title to identify which jobs “do” and which jobs “use” science.  

investigating how waterproof different fabrics are 

comparing the health of plants grown in different soil 

Which of the following jobs are “doing” science?

design and develop programmes for computers

design and develop new circuits for appliances like TVs and mobile phones 

There are different types of engineer.  Which of these jobs would be done by an electrical engineer?  

Which of these professionals would solve wiring problems, check if circuits have been built incorrectly and repair broken appliances?

design new systems to transfer electricity

find out which metals conduct electricity best 

fix a circuit when electricity is no longer flowing around it

Which of these jobs would be done by a scientist? 

Why are metal cables used to transfer electricity between different places? 

True or false? Most metals are good electrical conductors.

because plastic is an electrical conductor 

because plastic is an electrical insulator

Why are electrical cables in our homes coated in plastic? 

Why do we put electrical insulators around electric circuits and wires? 

Electricity is {{}} at power stations.  This is another word for produced.

How is electricity generated at traditional power stations?  

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Worksheet