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Compass is offline while we prepare our new tools

Compass is offline while we prepare our new tools

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Wired world

Connect some common electrical components to the correct cards, as we look at who does what in a circuit.

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You’ll need

  • Scissors
  • Tables
Components cards
PDF – 237.0KB
Download Components cards

Before you begin

  • Print off as many copies of the ‘Components cards’ sheet as you need, then cut out the individual cards. Keep another sheet intact.
  • Have some space set up in the activity area for people in the group to sit and write, if needed.

Run the activity

  1. Get everyone thinking about their daily routines. Everyone should think carefully about how many things they do in a day that involve electronics.
  2. Give out pens or pencils and some paper to those with busy schedules. They should write down all the things they do and pick out the items they might use that contain electronics.
  1. Everyone should pick out the electronic items that they use. They should think about what differences they make in our lives.
  2. Everyone should discuss which electronic items they picked out and see if they share any electronic components.
  1. Give out the ‘Components cards’ so that each person has at least one.
  1. Everyone should move around the activity area and show the card they have to someone else. If both players agree that their cards go together, they should form a group together.
  2. While waiting for everyone to form their groups, those who’ve already grouped together could think of some real-life uses for their component. It might be that it plays an important role in some of the items discussed earlier.
  3. When everyone’s done grouping up, check the answers against an intact copy of the component collection sheet. If any are incorrect, encourage the group to work together to work out who should go where.
  1. If there’s time, you could run this game again from step 5, making sure each person has a different card this time.

Reflection

Different electronic components do different things. How was the function of a component made clear by its diagram or picture card? Did knowing the function of the component make it easier to know what kind of description of a component to look out for, and vice versa?

Many of these components regulate how much energy we use, including the switches, resistors and diodes. Why might that make these components important for reducing our carbon footprint? Remember: most electricity still comes from burning fossil fuels.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Electronics

Remove any equipment you’re working on from the power source before you begin. Never assume the power circuit’s off – test it with a voltmeter (and then test it again to be sure). Only connect power to a circuit once you’ve finished working on it and have checked your work. Make sure your circuit isn’t overloaded, and return any covers you’ve removed.

Make sure that all electronics equipment is properly grounded. Use the right electronics tools, and always replace damaged equipment (for example, replace cables rather than repairing them with insulating tape). Always have safety equipment including a fire extinguisher, basic first aid kit, and mobile phone nearby.

Scissors

Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

The cards can be cut down into more or fewer categories to increase or decrease the difficulty.

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Scouts Electronics Activity Badge

See if anyone knows an electronics whizz you can invite along one week (free of charge). An electrical engineer or electronics retailer should have spark-tacular knowledge of these kinds of components. After all, they plug them on a regular basis! Ask around the group. You may be shocked at how many wiring wizards you’re able to find.

Those with pre-existing knowledge of electronics and electrical goods should use what they know to help everyone else in the card-combining game.