Year 6

Circuit breakers

Students learn about the role of the components in an electrical circuit and how they affect the transfer and transformation of energy. Using the context of blackouts, students explore how switches work and design prototype backup electrical circuits.

'Circuit breakers' IS ONE OF OUR NEW TEACHING SEQUENCES FOR V9

  • On the 'Sequence overview' tab you'll find all the lessons in this sequence and curriculum alignment.
  • The 'Our design decisions' tab shows how key scientific ideas develop over the sequence, and shows how the sequence addresses curriculum achievement standards.
  • Have you taught this sequence? Use the Feedback button to let us know how it went!

Launch

Lesson 1 • Blackouts

Students identify and empathise with people affected by blackouts caused by interruptions in electrical circuits.

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Circuit breakers

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Lesson 2 • Making a torch

Students explore and identify the necessary components of an electric circuit. They represent their circuits using accepted circuit symbol conventions.

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Circuit breakers

Lesson 3 • Modelling electrical circuits

Students use and develop their own models and representations to explore how current moves around an electrical circuit.

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Circuit breakers

Lesson 4 • Causing a blackout

Students pose a question that can be investigated, make reasoned predictions, and plan and conduct an investigation into the factors that affect the transfer and transformation of energy in an electrical circuit.

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Circuit breakers

Lesson 5 • Conductors and insulators

Students pose an investigable question and plan and conduct an investigation to identify the best material for a conductor in an electric circuit.

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Circuit breakers

Lesson 6 • Making a switch

Students examine the purpose of a switch and develop criteria to evaluate a switch design.

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Circuit breakers

Act

Lesson 7 • Designing for blackouts

Students design an electrical product that can be used to support people during a blackout, and communicate their design ideas to a selected audience.

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Circuit breakers

Curriculum and syllabus alignment

Achievement standards

Students identify the role of circuit components in the transfer and transformation of electrical energy. They describe how individuals and communities use scientific knowledge.

Students plan safe, repeatable investigations to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions. They describe risks associated with investigations and key intercultural considerations when planning field work. They identify variables to be changed, measured and controlled. They use equipment to generate and record data with appropriate precision. They construct representations to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships. They identify possible sources of error in their own and others’ methods and findings, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to support reasoned conclusions. They select and use language features effectively for their purpose and audience when communicating their ideas and findings.

Australian Curriculum V9 alignment

Science as a human endeavour

Science understanding

Science inquiry