How to Build an Electric Circuit?

Content Standards

In this lesson, students will understand the components of an electric circuit (cell, bulb, switch, and wires) and how they work together.

Performance Standards

Students will be able to:

Identify and describe the function of each circuit component.
Construct a simple electric circuit in a virtual lab.
Predict and test outcomes of circuit changes (open/closed circuits, multiple cells, bulb brightness).

Alignment Standards

Reference: NCERT Class 7 Science

The lesson is aligned with the NCERT Grade 7 Science Book-Chapter 3: Circuits and their Components, Section:2 – A Simple Electrical Circuit

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Define an electric circuit.
Identify symbols and functions of cell, bulb, switch, and wires.
Draw and interpret simple circuit diagrams.
Build and test circuits using a virtual lab.

Prerequisites (Prior Knowledge)

Students should already know:

Basic concept of electricity.
Everyday examples of electric appliances.
Safety rules about electricity.

Introduction

In this session, students will learn how electricity flows through a closed path called a circuit. Using everyday examples like a glowing bulb, they will explore the role of basic components — cell, bulb, switch, and wires — and use a virtual lab to build and test simple circuits. Additionally, this hands-on exploration will help them visualize the invisible flow of current and understand concepts like open vs. closed circuits, brightness changes with multiple cells, and the use of simple symbols to represent circuits.

Timeline (40 Minutes)

Title	Approximate Duration	Procedure	Reference Material
Engage	5	Activity: Teacher switches on a torch or a toy car in front of the class. Then removes the battery and asks: “Why did it stop working? What makes the torch or car run?”	Slides
Explore	10	Students use the virtual lab to experiment with connecting a battery, bulb, switch, and wires.	Virtual lab
Explain	10	The Teacher explains: Definition of circuit Functions of cell (source of electricity), bulb, switch (controller), connecting wires (pathway). Importance of closed vs. open circuit. Use of symbols and how to draw circuit diagrams.	Slides + Virtual Lab
Evaluate	10	Students will attempt the Self Evaluation task provided on the LMS.	Virtual Lab
Extend	5	Activity:Ask: “How do you think the fan works? Can you draw a simple circuit for it using a cell, switch, and motor (fan)?” Task: In pairs, students design and draw the circuit diagram for the toy fan using proper symbols. Challenge: Ask, “What will happen if we connect two cells instead of one? Will the fan spin faster or slower?” Purpose: Extends learning from bulb circuits to another real-life application, making it exciting and relatable.	Slides

How to Build an Electric Circuit?

Introduction

Electricity is an important part of our daily lives. Devices like bulbs, fans, and toys work only when electricity flows through them. To understand how this happens, we study electric circuits and their basic components.

Theory

Electric Circuit

An electric circuit is a closed and continuous path through which electric current can flow.
If the circuit is closed, current flows and the device (like a bulb) works.
If the circuit is open, the path is broken and no current flows.

Cell and Battery

A cell provides the source of electricity. It has two terminals: the positive (+) and negative (–).
Electricity flows only when both terminals are connected properly in the circuit.
When more energy is needed, two or more cells are joined together to form a battery.

Bulb

A bulb has a thin wire inside it called the filament.
When current passes through the filament, it heats up and glows, making the bulb give light.
If the filament breaks (fuses), the bulb will not glow even if the circuit is complete

Switch

A switch is used to control the flow of current in a circuit.
When the switch is closed (ON), the circuit is complete and current flows.
When the switch is open (OFF), the circuit is broken and current stops.

Connecting Wires

Wires are used to connect all the components together.
They act like the “roads” on which electric current travels.

Circuit Diagrams and Symbols

To show circuits clearly, we use symbols for each component instead of drawing pictures.
A simple circuit diagram shows how cells, bulbs, switches, and wires are connected.
This makes it easier to study and communicate about circuits.

Vocabulary

This is the list of vocabulary terms used throughout the lesson.

Electric circuit – A closed path through which current can flow.
Cell – A device that provides the source of electricity.
Battery – A combination of two or more cells connected together.
Bulb – A device that lights up when electric current flows through it.
Filament – The thin wire inside a bulb that glows when current passes through it.
Switch – A device that opens or closes a circuit to control the flow of current.
Closed circuit – A complete path that allows current to flow.
Open circuit – A broken path that stops the current from flowing.
Connecting wires – Wires that join different components in a circuit and allow current to pass.
Circuit diagram – A simplified drawing using symbols to represent circuit components.
Circuit symbols – Standard signs used to represent components like cell, bulb, and switch.

How to Build an Electric Circuit?

Introduction

Welcome to the Virtual Lab: Build a Circuit! In this activity, you will learn how to connect basic components like a cell, wires, switch, and bulb to form a working electric circuit. The scientific concept behind this lab is that electric current flows only when there is a closed path (circuit). By experimenting with switches and connections, you will see how electricity moves through the circuit to make the bulb glow. This hands-on experience will help you understand how everyday electrical devices around us work.

Key Features

Interactive 3D/2D environment to explore electric circuit components
Students can drag and connect parts (cell, bulb, switch, wires)
Real-time feedback: bulb glows when the circuit is complete
Automatic generation of circuit diagram alongside the model
MCQs are integrated at the end of each module for engagement.

Step-by-Step Procedure for VR Experience

Step 1: Table with Components

On the virtual table, all parts of an electric circuit are displayed.
The cell provides the source of power.
The wires connect the components.
The bulb glows when current flows.
The switch is used to turn the circuit ON or OFF

Step 2: Wire Section

Wires are available in the wire section.
Students press keys (1–4) to pick wires and place them to complete the circuit.

Step 3: Switching ON

Students turn the switch ON.
The bulb glows, showing that electric current is flowing through a complete circuit.

Step 4: Circuit Diagram

When the switch is ON, current flows through the wires and lights the bulb.
Simultaneously, a simple circuit diagram appears on the screen, showing how the same circuit is represented using standard symbols.

Step 5: Evaluation

After interaction, students proceed to the quiz:
- 2 MCQs