Two Button Buzzer Circuit

Lesson Focus - Demonstrate how two switches interact in an electrical circuit such as that used to sound a buzzer.

Lesson Synopsis - The Two Button Buzzer activity explores an everyday situation, where either of two or more buttons can ring a buzzer. Students learn how this type of circuit is structured, draw a schematic for it, and construct a two button buzzer model out of wires, a battery, buttons (switches), and a buzzer.

Age Levels - 8-14.

Objectives
Learn how switches control the flow of electricity.
Learn to draw basic wiring diagrams.
Learn how the electric circuit in a two button buzzer operates.
Learn about teamwork and working in groups.

Lesson Activities - Students learn how two buttons (switches) can control a buzzer. Student groups then draw a schematic of a two button buzzer circuit and build a model of the circuit using wires, a battery, buttons (switches) and a buzzer. Final schematics are shared with other groups, with results and findings discussed as a class.

Anticipated Learner Outcomes - As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:
switches
circuits and current
basic electrical diagrams
making and testing predictions
teamwork

Resources/Materials
Teacher Resource Documents (included in PDF)
Student Handouts (included in PDF)
Materials (described in detail in PDF)

Alignment to Curriculum Frameworks
Curriculum alignment sheet is included in PDF.

Internet Connections
IEEE Teacher In-Service Program
IEEE Virtual Museum
International Technology Education Association Standards for Technological Literacy
McREL Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks - a compilation of content
standards for K-12 curriculum in both searchable and browsable formats.
National Science Education Standards

Recommended Reading
Buzz Off! Build Your Own Electronic Doorbell (Troll Assoc., ISBN: 0816761965)
Electricity (Make it Work! Science) (Two-Can Publishing LLC, ISBN: 1587283549)
Eyewitness Electricity, by Steve Parker (DK Publishing, ISBN: 0789455773)
How Science Works, by Judith Hann (Readers Digest, ISBN: 0762102497)

References
IEEE Teacher In-Service Program