What do you need to build a circuit?

In the age of making, engineering and STEM, our students come to class with a lot of knowledge about circuits and electricity. This week we examined the parts needed to complete a circuit. We examined what would happen if we took out certain parts of a circuit or connected them to other pieces.

Students were given a battery holder, a D battery, 2 wires with alligator clips attached, as well as a lightbulb in a holder. I asked my scientists to connect these materials in such a way that the lightbulb would light. Some students were able to connect the circuit right away. Others found they had to explore a bit.

Along the way I asked them:

Does it matter where you clip the alligator clip on the battery holder?
Does it matter which way you put the battery in?
Does it matter how you connect the wires?
Can you connect the battery to one side of the lightbulb and still have it light?

Take a peak at some of their first simple circuits: