Starter Electric Circuit, Motor & Electromagnet Kit

A basic, entry-level kit for building three small circuits: a spinning fan, a light bulb, and an electromagnet. This is a low-cost kit for a first look at circuits, not a precision instrument.

What's in the box

• Battery base x1
• DC motor x1 (Type 130)
• Fan blade x1
• Small light bulb x1 (2.5V, screw-type)
• Bulb holder x1 (screw-type)
• AA battery x1
• Crocodile clips x2
• Switch x1
• 10cm wires x2 (one red, one black)
• Iron nail x1
• Copper wire x1 (50 to 60cm)
• Paperclips x3

Spin the fan

Wire the motor to the switch and the battery base, then fit the fan blade onto the motor shaft. Close the switch to start it spinning, then swap the battery leads over to see it spin the other way.

Light the bulb

Screw the bulb into the holder, wire it through the switch to the battery base, then close the switch to light it up.

Build an electromagnet

Wind the copper wire around the iron nail, connect the ends to the battery through the crocodile clips, then test it by picking up the paperclips.

Where it fits the curriculum

• Grade 6 Natural Sciences and Technology: building simple closed circuits and identifying conductors and insulators
• Grade 8 Natural Sciences, Energy and Change: the three effects of current, heating and lighting with the bulb, magnetic with the electromagnet, and movement with the motor and fan
• Grade 9 Natural Sciences, Energy and Change: series versus parallel circuits and how cells act as energy sources
• Grade 8 to 9 Technology: raw materials for a Practical Assessment Task, such as an electromagnetic crane for sorting scrap metal