Want to learn how the electricity we use every day works? Participating in the electricity project will teach you about topics such as magnetism and circuit design. Also learn hands on skills such as replacing switches.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Develop electrical skills and knowledge
- Learn electrical terminology
- Calculate electrical loads on circuits
- Perform home maintenance electrical repairs
- Be able to detect electrical hazards
- Construct simple electrical connections
- Identify types of electrical equipment
- Help educate others about electrical concepts and skills
4-H Electricity Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Electric Excitement Level 1: Magic of Electricity
Youth explore why certain things insulate from electricity better than others and the effect that magnetism has various substances. They also build a flashlight, a compass, an electromagnet, and an electric motor.
Electric Excitement Level 2: Investigating Electricity
Youth build circuits and test voltages, build a rocket launcher, and build a burglar alarm as they practice decision making and communication. This unit is designed for youth who understand magnetism, electron flow, and circuit design.
Electric Excitement Level 3: Wired For Power
Youth build on skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 plus learn how to measure electrical usage, replace electrical switches, and determine electrical loads. Youth will also evaluate different light bulbs and test for electrical power.
Electric Excitement Level 4: Entering Electronics
This unit introduces the basics of solid-state electronics and provides hands-on activities for practical experience in understanding modern day electronic equipment. This unit is for the intermediate to advanced learner.
Electric Excitement Helper’s Guide
This helper’s guide has a number of exciting group activities that will keep members coming back for more. It includes a variety of group activities that can be organized quickly and conducted with 3 to 15 youth in a group.
Explore a Power Park Book 1: Paper Circuits
This circuitry curriculum offers a hands-on introduction to electric circuits using LED’s and conductive tape. The pages are full of opportunities for exploration and challenge young designers to problem-solve and think creatively and critically. The activities are meant to ignite a young person’s curiosity and imagination, opening the mind to new possibilities and moving him or her to play, tinker, and explore.
Short tutorials and background information accompany puzzles and challenges. The activities build on each other and are designed to allow youth to learn by doing. Each curriculum book becomes a completed workbook full of solved puzzles, met challenges, and creative light-up projects.
Light up and ignite a young person’s curiosity and imagination, with LEDs, circuits and more! This Essentials Kit is the perfect complement to our Explore a Power Park Book and will provide you with everything you need to open the mind to new possibilities and moving youth to play, tinker, and explore.
Design a Power Park: Smart Circuits Book 2
The hands-on activities in this book introduce coding, microcontrollers, and sensors to circuitry projects. It is an interactive workbook designed to be a hands-on experience that accompanies computer coding and reading. The pages are full of opportunities for exploration and challenge young designers to problem solve and think creatively and critically. The activities are meant to ignite a young person’s curiosity and imagination, opening the mind to new possibilities and moving him or her to play, tinker, and explore.
Short tutorials and background information accompany investigations and challenges. The activities build on each other and are designed to allow youth to learn by doing. Challenges provide opportunities for solving problems with multiple possible solutions or with less obvious solutions. Each curriculum book becomes a completed workbook full of solved puzzles, met challenges, and creative light-up projects.
This is the second book in a collection of three. While we advise all readers to go through the first book before using this one, this is not a requirement, though we do assume the reader has basic electrical circuit skills and knowledge. Coding experience is helpful, but not necessary.
Light up and ignite a young person’s curiosity and imagination, with LEDs, circuits and more! This Essentials Kit is the perfect complement to our Explore a Power Park Book 2: Smart Circuits and will provide you with everything you need to open the mind to new possibilities and moving youth to play, tinker, and explore.
Build a Power Park Book 3: Lights on in the Neighborhood
This interactive workbook has over 25 hours of hands-on activities that introduce coding, microcontrollers, and sensors to circuitry projects while challenging young designers to solve problems and think creatively and critically. This book can ignite a young person’s curiosity and imagination. It encourages playing, tinkering, and exploring new ideas and possibilities.
Short tutorials and background information accompany investigations and challenges. The activities build on each other and allow youth to learn by doing. Challenges provide opportunities for solving problems with multiple possible solutions. The final project introduces more advanced programming skills and requires youth to synthesize and apply previously learned concepts. Young people can work on the activities individually, with partners, or in a guided instructional setting to solve puzzles, meet challenges, and create fun light-up projects.
This is the third book in a collection of three. While we advise all readers to go through the first two books before using this one, this is not a requirement, though we do assume the reader has basic electrical circuit skills and knowledge. Coding experience is helpful, but not necessary.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Electricity Activity Plan: Fruit Batteries – Wisconsin 4-H
Create a battery from fruit, learn the process of scientific inquiry, about connecting batteries in series, and develop familiarity with basic electrochemistry.
Electricity Activity Plan: Fork in the Road – Wisconsin 4-H
Activity lesson plan for teaching youth how to identify parallel and series circuits. Part of the 4-H Electrical Science Series.
Electricity Activity Plan: Earth Attractions – Wisconsin 4-H
Activity lesson plan for teaching youth how to build and test a compass. Part of the 4-H Electrical Science Series.
Electricity Activity Plan: Control the Flow – Wisconsin 4-H
Activity lesson plan for teaching youth how to build and test a paper clip switch. Part of the 4-H Electrical Science Series.
Electricity Activity Plan: Circuit Sense – Wisconsin 4-H
Activity lesson plan for teaching youth how to identify closed and opened circuits. Part of the 4-H Electrical Science Series.
Electricity Activity Plan: Bright Lights – Wisconsin 4-H
Activity lesson plan for teaching youth how to build a flashlight. Part of the 4-H Electrical Science Series.
Bend Water with Static Electricity – Science Bob
Engineering Electricity – University of Minnesota Extension
In this lesson, youth design and build a wind-powered vehicle to turn on a light bulb using the Engineering Design Process. Youth also learn how to incorporate this step into a Rube Goldberg™ type machine.
Mission 4-H: Electricity – University of Minnesota Extension
In this independent learning guide, youth work on their own to create an electrical circuit to light up an LED bulb. Templates are provided to make a car, tree, firefly, rocket or flower.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County Alternative Energy & Sustainability Project
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Science Fun with Electricity – Ohio 4-H
This beginning electricity project book includes 11 kid-friendly and time-tested experiments about static electricity, currents, electromagnetism, electric motors, and electric light. Each experiment has a brief introduction, a supply list, and step-by-step instructions that bring an electrical concept to life.
Energy Education Council 4-H Committee
The objective of the 4-H Committee is to promote the efficient and safe use of electricity through educational materials and programs designed for youth.
For decades, the Energy Education Council has supported 4-H youth electricity and energy education with both funding and expertise related to workshops, judging of county and state fair entries, and more. The active 4-H committee works to create programming, recommend material purchases, and provide experts and volunteers to assist youth in their energy education.
Super Science Series – University of Minnesota Extension
This Super Science Series is a collection of super fun science lessons designed for grades 3-8. Each lesson includes a science activity that incorporates different science and engineering concepts in a way that gets youth excited about learning more.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
- Electric Project Activities and Reference Material - Indiana 4-H
Electric (All Levels): Voltage Meter Basics (PDF)
Voltage (V) is the energy force in wires or conductive materials in an electrical circuit. Voltage potential can be measured and is the difference between two points, for example between the positive and negative ends of a battery, or between a hot wire and neutral/ground wire. Voltage or Multi-meters are an inexpensive tool that are designed to measure voltage precisely. This project sheet will begin to help you explore how to measure for voltage and better understand potential difference.
Electric (All Levels): Wire and Cable Basics (PDF)
This is to help you learn some of the basics of wires and cables. The construction, sizes, ampacity, the significance of the types of insulation, the variety, and some common uses. This is by no means an all-inclusive list and description of every wire and cable manufactured. From this, you should come to the realization you need to know more about what you are doing when working with electricity. Do your research, as one size does not fit all.
Electric (All Levels): Wire Connectors (PDF)
Wire connectors are used in all wiring applications. Choosing the correct wire connector and installing them correctly is important to avoid wiring/voltage problems due to a poor wiring connection. This methodology is important to all levels of electricians.
Electric Levels 1 & 2: Series or Parallel Circuit Board (PDF)
With this project sheet, you will be making and exhibiting a circuit board. This board will help you understand how simple electrical circuits work. Electricity makes our life easier. It helps play our music, gives us light, heat and cools our house, and cooks our food all done with electrical circuits. Electricity is a form energy used to produce motion, light, and heat. What makes this energy? The energy is formed by tiny particles called electrons (see image). These electrons are so small they cannot be seen with an ordinary microscope. These electrons flow much like water flows in a garden hose. The flow of these electrons creates energy and the energy made by this movement is called electricity. When flowing they make electric current and do work. With your completed and closed-circuit electric current will flow and do work/make light.
4-H Electric project: Circuit Board (YouTube video)
Circuit Board Template 4-H Electric Division 1 (PDF)
Electric Levels 1 & 2: Circuit Board with DPDT Switch (PDF)
With the addition of a double pole double throw (DPDT) switch you can have both a series circuit and a parallel circuit on one display board. Low voltage DPDT surface mounted switch can be easily found and purchased from the internet. Simply use this as a replacement for the single pole single throw (SPST) switch included with the Level 1 kit.
DC Circuits for Indiana 4-H Electric (PDF)
Scoring Electricity Through Magnetism: Shakelight Assembly Instructions, 4-H Electric Level 2 (PDF)
Electric Level 3: Size and Build and Extension Cord (PDF)
With this project sheet you will learn how to size, build, and display an extension cord. The most important thing for you is to determine what do you need a cord for? Knowing this will allow you to use the charts provided to size the conductors, select the proper insulation and connecting bodies. Questions for you are what is the required voltage, what is the wattage of the load, and what is the operating environment of the load? These factors will help you build a safe and long-lasting cord. It is recommended that you read the entire project sheet before you begin so you can better understand the importance of using the proper materials.
Electric Levels 4 & 5: Basic Electrical Tool Set (PDF)
You could turn your set of tools into a great project by creating a display or video presentation. Exploring and explaining the origins of the device and the proper use would be very educational for all. Not only would this help you better understand the proper use, you will end up with tools that you’ll have on hand the rest of your life.
Electric Levels 4 & 5: Lamp Construction (PDF)
With this project, you can begin using your own creativity. The instructions provided here will help you refurbish an old lamp or construct a lamp from scratch that matches an interest or hobby of yours. First, survey your room or home for a location that needs some additional lighting or a decorative piece, as that will determine the type and size of the lamp and bulb required.
Electric Level 5: Wiring Diagrams for 3-Way and 4-Way Switch Combinations (PDF)
This project sheet shows various ways 3-way and 4-way switches can be wired to control lights from two or more locations. The switches must create a complete circuit for current to flow and the bulb to light.
Black or Red indicates a current carrying hot wire (120 volts ac).
Bare or Green indicates a grounding wire at ground/earth potential.
White indicates a current carrying neutral wire or grounded wire. In a switching circuit, it can be used as a current carrying hot wire, but must be identified as a current carrying hot wire.
For choosing wire cable for your circuit, follow common practices in wiring a multi-switch circuit by using a two-conductor (black and white) and three-conductor (black, red, white) cable, where white denotes neutral, and black and red are used for “hot” conductors with respect to ground.
Electric Level 5: Wiring Diagrams for Duplex Receptacles (PDF)
This project sheet shows a couple of ways to wire a duplex receptacles. The receptacle can also be controlled with a light switch when desired. When multiple receptacles are in a circuit you simply duplicate your wiring method.
Depending on the location of the receptacle being installed or replaced, it may need to be protected with Arc Fault or Ground Fault circuit interruption. Seek professional advice for the receptacle location.
Electric Level 5: Careers in Electric (PDF)
The electrical grid is composed of three different areas: Power Generation, Power Distribution, and Power Consumption. There are multiple job opportunities in each of these areas. There are also careers available in miscellaneous fields and research driven jobs that utilize employees with an electrical knowledge base.
Your experience in 4H Electric is a great way to start your career path in the Electrical Industry. What are some careers that are available? Below are some general careers along with short descriptions of each for you to consider.
Remember: The electrical industry is always changing and developing new career opportunities with new technology.
Electric Level 5: The clamp-on Ampere Meter (PDF)
A clamp-on AC (alternating current) ampere meter is simple and easy to use. Many are low cost and some do not need batteries. Depending on the wiring that you are testing, the jaws of the ampere meter need to open large enough to clamp around the electric cables, metallic pipes, or other conducting items.
The AC clamp-on ampere meter is truly a transformer device. It is powered by the alternating magnetic field found around an AC current carrying conductor. The wire going through the jaws is a one turn input (primary) winding of the transformer. The output (secondary) winding has many turns and it powers the AC ampere meter. It allows current to be measured in the circuit without disconnecting or de-energizing it.
Electric Level 5: Dissect, Discover, and Display (PDF)
This project sheet allows you to take an old appliance, power tool, or an electronic gadget that does not work and disassemble the device (with permission) to see how it is made. The parts and components can be used for a display, like the one shown on page 2 of this project sheet. Additional research will need to be done to identify each part and what function it serves. A multimeter may be required to take measurements and determine how a switch or other parts function.
During this process, you may even discover why the device was not working. This is a great opportunity to turn a useless piece of equipment into a strong project. Include labels and diagrams with each component to help others see what was discovered. With practice, confidence will build with the pulling apart of items to learn how they function and soon you will be able to start troubleshooting and repairing equipment. This process will help remove the mystery of components and the understanding of how things function.
Electric Level 5: Electrical Conduits (PDF)
Electrical conduits refer to an electrical system used to protect and provide route of electrical wiring. Electrical conduits are made of metal, plastic, or fiber and could be rigid or flexible. Conduits must be installed by following standard regulations, as those provided by the manufacturer and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Electric Level 5: Generator Interlocking Circuit Breaker Kit (PDF)
A generator interlock kit is a device that allows for safe powering of your home by a generator during a power outage. The kit is designed to add an external interlock onto the existing breaker panel of a home and allows the main breaker or a designated breaker to be turned on to power the home, but not at the same time. An interlock is a feature that makes the state of two functions or mechanisms mutually dependent. In this case the mechanisms are the generator and the main power that is fed to the home.
Electric Level 5: Looking for Voltage (PDF)
Voltage (V) is the energy force in wires or conductive material. Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points, for example between the positive and negative ends of a battery, or between a hot wire and ground. There are several different tools that you can use to test for the presence of voltage. This project sheet will help you explore different tools to find voltage safely and correctly.
Electric Level 5: Taking the Mystery out of Three-Phase Power (PDF)
Three-phase electricity can be easily explained by knowing the concept of single-phase electricity. Single-phase electricity is what you have in your home. You will see, by routing one electric conductor through a magnetic field, energy is produced. The conductor may also be stationary and the magnetic field rotated. Three-phase uses three coils and one magnetic field. This project sheet will help you understand the types of three-phase electricity and how the power is produced.
Electric Level 5: Sizing Service or Feeder Circuit (PDF)
Electricians, architects, engineers, energy auditors, and technicians need to be able to assess the adequacy of an existing electric service. Overtaxing a service with loads can create a safety hazard; it can also lead to nuisances like dimming lights, tripped breakers, and wear and tear on motors and electronics. This project sheet will guide you through the National Electric Code (NEC 220.83) steps to determine sufficiency of an electrical service.
Electric Level 5: Project Ideas and Suggestions (PDF)
By now you have completed at least four electric projects and are in the 7th -12th grade. Here in the advanced division you will get to explore and experience what most interests you. Projects become more exciting now as you are turned loose to pursue an area you choose, instead of a set required project. Create a project that will be useful and functional.
We are going to provide you with some possible ideas, but you are by no means limited to these. Now that you are older, there will be higher expectations. The electric project must be done safely to protect people and property. It is not like most other projects, and it will be judged more critically so do not be offended during judging. Learn to grow from the experience, and never be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure.
Use old manuals and previous experience as you develop your projects. Speak to a professional about your ideas. The internet can be a useful source of information, but always look at several sites to corroborate the information. When planning you may want to think two to three years into the future. Build on an idea from one year to the next. For example, you may do some sort of display one year and a written report of you installing the equipment in an actual structure in subsequent years. You could even do some wiring that will benefit you in a completely different project, such as installing light fixtures and outlets in a barn to help with an animal project.
- Interactive e-Learning Modules - Oregon 4-H
An Introduction to 4-H Magic of Electricity: Level 1, Activity 4 & 5
Conducting Things Activity 5: 4-H Magic of Electricity
An Introduction to 4-H Magic of Electricity: Level 1, Activity 12: Making an Electromagnet
4-H Electric Series Investigating Electricity: Level 2, Activities 3 & 4
4-H Electrics Series Investigating Electricity: Level 2, Activity 5 & 6 Circuit Diagrams
- 4-H WearTec Curriculum
4-H Wearable Technology curriculum series in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing.
Each youth will need their own Design Notebooks for each level.
WearTec Book 1: Circuitry – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 1: Circuitry – Design Notebook
This is Level 1 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 1, youth learn the foundations of circuitry through 4 projects.
WearTec Book 2: Sewing – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 2: Sewing – Design Notebook
This is Level 2 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 2, youth learn how to sew and create projects using microcontrollers.
WearTec Book 3: Programming – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 3: Programming – Design Notebook
This is Level 3 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 3, youth learn basic programming and coding skills and then apply these skills using various platforms, such as Arduino.
WearTec Book 4: Design – Leader’s Guide
WearTec Book 4: Design – Design Notebook
This is Level 4 of the Wearable Technology curriculum series, in which youth solve real world problems and practice the engineering design process while immersed in the innovative area of wearable technologies. This curriculum teaches engineering design, computer programming, basic circuitry, and sewing. In Level 4, youth practice each step of the engineering design process: Research, Develop a Solution, Test & Evaluate, and Communicate. Level 4 includes 4 Design Challenges involving light and temperature.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Electronics Curriculum Collection
Learn by Doing with Elenco’s Snap Circuits® Jr.! Electrical components provide hands-on experience designing and building models of working electrical circuits.
Snap Circuits® Jr. allows for hours of educational fun while learning about electronics. All parts are mounted on plastic modules and snap together with ease.
- Electrical components provide students ages 8+ with hands-on experience designing and building models of working electrical circuits.
- Snap-together parts require no tools and ensure correct connections
- Includes 30 parts, and instructions for over 100 projects
- Requires 2 “AA” batteries (sold separately)
- Clear and concise illustrated manual included and available online
Elenco’s Snap Circuits® makes learning electronics easy and fun! Just follow the colorful pictures in our manual and build over 10 exciting projects! The Snap Circuits LED Fun kit allows you to create your own light show with easy-to-use components that make learning electronics a snap! Requires 4 “AA” batteries (not included).
A 2022 Toy of the Year Finalist – Elenco’s Snap Circuits® MyHome makes learning electronics easy and fun!
Electricity is everywhere – even in your home. Whether you live in a city skyscraper or a house in the country, our homes are powered by electricity. It’s not magic, it’s science, and it’s easy to learn. Build a house or city tower with real, working, 3-D circuits, just like the ones you use every day. With seven colorful base grids to make your structure your own, learn how electricity travels and powers your home.