Activity

Electricity - morse code

Summary
Use an open circuit with a bulb to send morse code.
Science content
Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5)
Physics: Electricity, Electromagnetism (7)
Lessons activity is in
Resource
Materials
  • a simple circuit containing a bulb and battery, either made with home made wires, wire cut from holiday lights, or purchased components (see photo).
Procedure

Students make a circuit containing a bulb and a battery, but keeping it open so that they can turn the light on and off.
Give students a morse code sheet (found online), and ask them to pair up to send each other messages with morse code. Try one letter at a time to start before sending a very short message.
Discuss the skill required to send and decode morse code fast.

Grades taught
Gr K
Gr 1
Gr 2
Gr 3