Circuits Puzzles: Administration Instructions and Printable Ballots SK Partners December 22, 2016 This document contains instructions for administering four hands-on puzzles about electrical circuits: Puzzle 1: Light the Bulb Puzzle 2: Pink? Box Puzzle 3: Electric Mystery Mania (3 Boxes) Puzzle 4: Motor For each puzzle, we include (a) administration instructions and (b) printable ballots used by students to record their answers.
Puzzle 1: Light the Bulb Task: Students are asked to light the bulb using materials provided. They are asked to draw a picture of the circuit. Time: Students are provided with unlimited time to complete the puzzle. Materials: 1 bulb in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires) 1 D-battery in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires) 3 wires with alligator clips on both ends Ballots for recording answers (1 per student) Box for submitting ballots, with a sign on top that reads: Draw a picture of your circuit. Sign that reads: Can you make the bulb light up? Pencils and erasers Scratch paper for notes (optional) Setup: Check all equipment to make sure it is working before administering the assessment. Set up the materials on a table so that students may view all the equipment.
PUZZLE 1 DRAW A PICTURE OF YOUR CIRCUIT! DROP ME in the voting box!
Puzzle 2: Pink? Box Task: Students are asked to identify the contents of the pink electrical mystery box labeled?. They are also asked to draw a picture of the circuit. Time: Students are provided with unlimited time to complete the puzzle. Materials: 1 pink mystery box with? labeled on top 1 bulb in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires) 1 D-battery in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires) 3 wires with alligator clips on both ends Ballots for recording answers (1 per student) Box for submitting ballots, with a sign on top that reads: Vote for your answer here. Sign that reads: What is in the mystery box? A battery or a bulb? To find out, connect the box in a circuit with a bulb. Pencils and erasers Scratch paper for notes (optional) Setup: Check all equipment to make sure it is working before administering the assessment. Set up the materials on a table so that students may view all the equipment.
PUZZLE 2 What s inside the PINK box? Circle one: A Battery A Wire Draw a picture of the circuit that told you what s inside the pink box. PINK DROP ME in the voting box!
Puzzle 3: Electric Mystery Mania (3 boxes) Task: Students are asked to identify the contents of the three electrical mystery boxes labeled Red, Blue, and Yellow. They are also asked to draw pictures of their circuits. Time: Students are provided with unlimited time to complete the puzzle. Materials: 3 mystery boxes labeled Red, Blue, and Yellow 2 x 1 bulb in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires) 2 x 1 D-battery in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires) 5 wires with alligator clips on both ends Ballots for recording answers (1 per student) Box for submitting ballots, with a sign on top that reads: Vote for your answer here. Sign that reads: Electric Puzzle Mania: What is inside the 3 mystery boxes? Sign that reads: Each box has something different inside. 2 batteries or a bulb or a wire. To solve the puzzle, connect each box in a circuit. Use the materials any way you like! Pencils and erasers Scratch paper for notes (optional) Each mystery box is a small rectangular box, which is sealed shut when the above contents are added. The box has electrical connection points outside the box so that students can hook up circuits to determine what is inside. It is important to keep the weight of the boxes the same. See details in document, Specification for Constructing Electric Mysteries. Setup: Check all equipment to make sure it is working before administering the assessment. Set up the materials on a table so that students may view all the equipment.
What s inside the RED box? Circle one: PUZZLE 3 What s inside the BLUE box? Circle one: Circle one: 2 Batteries A Bulb A Wire 2 Batteries A Bulb A Wire 2 Batteries A Bulb A Wire Draw a picture of the circuit that told you what s inside the red box. Draw a picture of the circuit that told you what s inside the blue box. that told you what s inside the yellow box. RED BLUE YELLOW DROP ME in the voting box!
Puzzle 4: Motor Task: Students are asked to determine the orientation of the battery inside the mystery box. They are also asked to draw pictures of their circuits. Time: Students are provided with unlimited time to complete the puzzle. Materials: 1 mystery box with L and R marked on top 1 D-battery in holder (with metal tabs for connecting wires). Ensure + and - sides are clearly marked. 1 motor with fan and different color wires attached Ballots for recording answers (1 per student) Box for submitting ballots, with sign on top that reads: Vote for your answer here. Check your drawing. Include in your drawing: an arrow to show which way the fan is turning, [colors of] wires, + and - sides of the battery. Sign that reads: Motor Puzzle: There is a battery inside this box. Which way is it facing? Sign with additional instructions (see next page, Which way is the battery facing? ) Pencils, erasers, and colored pencils to match the colors of wires attached to motor Scratch paper for notes (optional) Setup: Check all equipment to make sure it is working before administering the assessment. Set up the materials on a table so that students may view all the equipment.
Which way is the battery facing? You have a motor, a battery, and a mystery box in front of you. Motor Battery fan red wire green wire Different color wires are coming from the motor. The battery is marked with a + and a - sign. Mystery Box The mystery box has a battery in it. Find out which way the battery in the box is facing. One side of the box is marked L and the other side is marked R.
MOTOR PUZZLE Which way is the BATTERY facing? Write and below: Draw pictures of the circuits that told you which way the battery is facing. L R DROP ME in the voting box!