Electronics+Sessions+3

Session 6
In preparation for building their continuity indicators, students were introduced to resistors and diodes, their functions in a circuit and the symbols used to identify them in a circuit diagram.

The continuity indicator basically consists of a power source (the battery) and an indicator (LED). The circuit between the battery and the LED is broken and the probes are connected to each side of the 'break'. The circuit is completed via these probes. It is a handy tool for circuit checking, especially around soldered joins, and is also useful for checking components themselves.

After completing their continuity indicators, students used them to try and match paired wires with their connections hidden inside a 'mystery box'.
 * [[image:P1070588-1.JPG caption="Continuity indicator circuit diagram"]] || [[image:P1070565-1.JPG width="302" height="192" caption="Soldering the LED"]] ||
 * [[image:P1070571-1.JPG width="288" height="201" caption="Adding crocodile clips to the battery pack"]] || [[image:P1070573-1.JPG width="284" height="222" caption="Completed circuit with probes"]] ||
 * [[image:P1070570-1.JPG width="221" height="293" caption="The mystery box"]] || [[image:P1070575-1.JPG width="221" height="284" caption="Solving the mystery box"]] ||

Session 7
Students began Project 3. This project is based on a double continuity indicator circuit, cross-connected to interact with the 2 - switch battery pack. The double continuity circuit features a red LED and a green LED. The double circuit will be mounted on the workstation inside a cardboard 'robot' with red and green eyes. The eyes can be operated independently using the ingenious 2 -switch battery pack.
 * [[image:P1070624-1.JPG width="294" height="142" caption="Double continuity circuit for Project 3"]] ||
 * [[image:P1070620-1.JPG width="287" height="232" caption="Interpreting the circuit diagram"]] || [[image:P1070622-1.JPG caption="A half-completed circuit "]] ||

Electronics Sessions 1 Electronics Sessions 2 Electronics Sessions 4