Lighting the Way - A Creative STEM Journey Through Electricity

The third-term Girls in STEM Club sessions have kicked off at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre with an exciting dive into the world of electricity.  The girls explored various methods of electricity generation such as chemical, kinetic, and renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power.  They also discussed the essential components of an electric circuit: a power source, conductive material, and a resistor to put the electricity to use.

Once the concepts were understood, the hands-on activities began.  The girls started by constructing simple circuits to light up a single bulb.  Building on their success, they advanced to lighting two bulbs, first in series and then in parallel, observing how the configuration affected the brightness and function.

Excited by their progress, they moved on to more complex tasks.  They successfully wired-up miniature traffic lights and added switches, learning how to control each light independently.  This introduced them to practical circuit design and the concept of control within an electrical system.

The final challenge was a tricky one and involved use of electricity to make a small figure move.  This required a great deal of persistence and a lot of experimentation as they adjusted variables to get it just right.  Their determination and quick problem-solving impressed Alissa, the session facilitator, who had to come up with an additional activity on the spot.

To finish the session, the girls created "scribble bots" (small, motor-powered robots), that drew on paper.  In just one hour, they had tackled a full range of electrical concepts, demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, all while having fun exploring real-world STEM applications.