Shining a Light on Electronics

Prakken Publications. 832 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Tel: 734-975-2800; Fax: 734-975-2787; Web site: http://www.techdirections.com/

Y

4

Electronics; Demonstrations (Educational); Space Sciences; Laboratory Equipment; Cross Age Teaching; Science Activities; Mathematics Instruction; Writing Instruction; Outcomes of Education; Teaching Methods; High School Students

1062-9351

While they produced a limited amount of light when first introduced, light-emitting diode (LED) lights offered the benefit of rarely burning out. As a result, they were initially used primarily as indicator lights. Advances in the technology have made available LEDs that produce far brighter light, and one application that has come to market is the LED flashlight. LED flashlights use little energy and function much longer than flashlights that use incandescent light bulbs. This article describes an activity which offers an inexpensive way to teach electronics and gives students a very useful end product: a LED flashlight. This activity teaches students the basics of an electrical circuit, gives them experience using the voltage Ohm multimeter (VOM), and requires them to apply math and writing across several curriculums. (Contains 2 tables, 1 figure and 3 photos.)

ERIC

2010

EJ867164