Snap Circuits? In the Classroom?
I have wanted to update our circuit kits for a long time but it has been challenging to find a solution that
Snap Circuits have been intriguing for a long time with their ease of use and durability but the kits available just don't have the components that are required to do a circuit analysis sort of lab. Because of this, I found a website that sells individual components and constructed customized kits to use in my science classroom.
- Allows students to configure circuits in a similar shape to what they see in a given circuit diagram
- Has several light bulbs that show brightness
- Feels intuitive and not scary (students should feel comfortable experimenting and trying new things)
- Is durable so that hundreds of students can use the tools without them breaking
Snap Circuits have been intriguing for a long time with their ease of use and durability but the kits available just don't have the components that are required to do a circuit analysis sort of lab. Because of this, I found a website that sells individual components and constructed customized kits to use in my science classroom.
Customized Kits
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After assembling the components that I would want in a dream circuits kit, the total cost per set comes in right around $130. While this seems like a lot at first, it was a lot easier to handle once I remembered that that total cost is similar to replacing just one single power supply for the circuits that we were using before.
I was lucky enough to get a grant through the Minnetonka Foundation to fund this new project. Knowing that I wanted enough for groups of 2-3 to be working together on circuits, I ordered enough components to assemble 12 customized snap circuits.
Total Cost with Tax and Shipping | ~$130
If you need to minimize on costs it would be pretty easy to remove some items from this list. You could get by without a hand crank and fewer switches and jumper wires.
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What's in a Kit?
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When I originally purchase these kits and wrote up this page, I found the components from a distributer called C&S Sales. They seem to be out of business now so I've updated the links and pricing to direct to Elenco's official online store. Hopefully the links will stay live for a little longer this time ;)
The Components
Below are links to each of the components with a brief description of why it is part of this customized kit:
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Carrying Case - 1 per KitThis project case is perfect for storing all of the components and base grids in one place. Since it doesn't have packaging to store and project each individual part, I just snap everything to one of the boards for storage. This prevents everything from rattling around.
Link to purchase on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2FkpRiE
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Snap Circuits Battery Eliminator - 1 per KitThis is my favorite part of the whole kit. It can easily be set to output 3V, 5V, or 6V without burning through batteries. It isn't immediately obvious how to hook it up but with a little practice, students get it pretty quickly. There seems to be some sort of limiter that turns it off if it overheats so there isn't any issue with short circuits or sparking.
Link to purchase on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3FhvCJ0
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Base Grid - 2 per KitI find it really nice to have two of these in the kit so that 1 can be the "storage" with all of the components snapped in and the other can be a blank canvas to build the circuits.
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Jumper Wires - 6 of Each per KitThese jumper wires can be a nice way to connect up components without having to worry about spatial organization.
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Lamp Sockets - 5 per KitThese lamp sockets accept a variety of miniature E10 lightbulbs so it's easy to swap out for different wattages and replace bulbs that inevitably burn out from overloading.
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Light Bulbs - Set of 10 per KitThere are lots of places to get E10 lightbulbs for cheap online. I have found that 3-watt bulbs (6V/0.5A) seem to work well without overloading at the 6 volt maximum from the power supply. Getting 10 per kit ensures that there are some extras for when some end up burning out.
While it seems weird to be outfitting new lab equipment with incandescent bulbs, it is actually a really important feature. LEDs don't show variable brightness due to current and power in the same way that incandescent bulbs can. Link to purchase on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3K9SSwv
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Switches - 3 per KitIt's nice to design circuits where switches control one or more bulbs in parallel or series.
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Voltmeter/Ammeter - 1 per KitI was surprised how well these meters work. There are three settings that can be toggled with the 3-way slider switch:
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Hand Crank - 1 per KitThis hand crank generator can power one or two lightbulbs but not much more than that so don't expect to replace the power supply by cranking. One of my favorite applications of this is to connect it up directly to the power supply to demonstrate how a generator and motor are constructed the same way.
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Storage
Since this custom kit doesn't have specialized packaging to hold each of the components safely and securely, I have my students put the kit away by snapping all of the components onto one of the base grids for storage. This keeps the components from rattling around and getting damaged and also helps ensure that all of the pieces find their way back home :)
Here is the diagram that I use to help students get all of their pieces back to an orderly arrangement. (The editable file is posted in the files below)
| Snap Circuits Reset (pdf) |
Files
This editable diagrams file can be modified to create images a snap circuits set up to use in a lab or handout. Each component is it's own individual image that can be moved or rotated on the base grid.
When these files are printed at 100%, the size should line up exactly to scale with the physical kit so students can place the printout underneath the transparent base grid and set up their circuits accordingly.
When these files are printed at 100%, the size should line up exactly to scale with the physical kit so students can place the printout underneath the transparent base grid and set up their circuits accordingly.
| Snap Circuits Diagrams (editable) |
| Snap Circuits Reset (pdf) |
Activities
I usually start the electricity unit with an opportunity for students to just play with the kits and experiment without too much structure. To help provide some motivation, I give them the following list of prompts :)
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Once we get a little further into our electricity and circuits unit, I use this lab for students to build circuits from a schematic and practice measuring current and voltage drop.
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