1. Electric House Project
Sapna Patel
Physics & AP Physics 1
PLC Lead
Del Valle High School
Lonique Coots
Science Academic Facilitator
School Leadership, Division 1
Dallas ISD

2. Lab Objective
We will design and construct an electric house with a series, parallel, and combination circuit.
We will measure the current and voltage and calculate the power and resistance of each component of the house.

3. TEKS
5F: Design, construct, and calculate in terms of current through, potential difference across, resistance of, and power used by electric circuit elements connected in both series and parallel combinations
5A: research and describe the historical development of the concepts of gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces
Supporting TEKS:
Scientific Laboratory Skills:1AB; 2A-F

4. Requirements Optional Historical Component:
The house must be 2 stories with 4 rooms minimum
1- Series Circuit
1- Parallel Circuit
1- Combination Circuit
Each circuit must have a switch and it’s own battery.
The house must be decorated with the lights serving an actual purpose in the house.
Optional Historical Component:
Each student chooses a different famous Physicist out of the list provided
The house they build will be that famous physicist’s house
Research your scientist and learn about their contributions towards science as well as their hobbies/interesting facts
Each room must contain an aspect about the scientist that you will need to explain the significance of during questioning.

5. Materials Provided by teacher Provided by student
Christmas Lights (Ask for donations – Christmas is coming up!)
Workroom Supplies:
wire cutters ($1)
multi-meters ($5-$10)
electrical tape ($0.50)
paper clips (switches)
Provided by student
Box, Cardboard, or Poster board
Batteries:
Two: 9 Volt
One: 1.5 Volt
Optional: Switches ($0.70)

6. 1. Construct a Basic House
Draw an outline of a 2 story house with 4 rooms on the file folder.
Sketch out some lamps, overhead lights, ceiling fan lights, etc. for each room.
You can decorate with furniture later.

7. 2. Construct a Series Circuit
Cut and strip (at least) 2 different colored light bulbs.
Connect as a series circuit.

8. 3. Measure the Series Circuit
Measure the voltage of each of the components of the circuit (including the battery).
Measure the flowing current through each of the components.

9. How to Measure Voltage
To measure the voltage in a part of the circuit, the voltmeter must be placed “around” that part, i.e. “parallel”

10. How to Measure Current
For the current to be measured in a part of a circuit, the circuit needs to be “opened” and an ammeter added “in series” in that spot

11. 4. Calculate the Series Circuit
RESISTANCE:
Calculate the Resistance of each component
Calculate the Equivalent Resistance of the circuit
POWER
Calculate the Power of each component
Calculate the Total Power

12. 5. Install the circuit into the House with a switch!

13. 6. Construct a Parallel Circuit
Cut and strip (at least) 2 different colored light bulbs.
Connect as a parallel circuit.

14. 7. Measure the Parallel Circuit
Measure the voltage of each of the components of the circuit (including the battery).
Measure the flowing current through each of the components.

15. 8. Calculate the Parallel Circuit
RESISTANCE:
Calculate the Resistance of each component
Calculate the Equivalent Resistance of the circuit
POWER
Calculate the Power of each component
Calculate the Total Power

16. 9. Install the circuit into the House with a switch!

17. 10. Construct a Combination Circuit
Cut and strip (at least) 3 different colored light bulbs.
Connect as a combination circuit.

18. 11. Measure the Combo Circuit
Measure the voltage of each of the components of the circuit (including the battery).
Measure the flowing current through each of the components.

19. 12. Calculate the Combo Circuit
RESISTANCE:
Calculate the Resistance of each component
Calculate the Equivalent Resistance of the circuit
POWER
Calculate the Power of each component
Calculate the Total Power

20. 13. Install the circuit into the House with a switch!

21. 14. Research your scientist!

22. 15. Be prepared to Answer Questions about the Circuits!

23. Timeline
6-7 Days Total
1st Day: Explain project, show samples, cut and strip ALL light bulbs necessary
2nd Day: Assemble Series Circuit and Measure all components. Calculate R and P.
3rd Day: Parallel
4th Day: Combo
5th Day: Install and Design House/Research Scientist
6th Day: Final Work Day
7th Day: Present House/ Answer Interview Questions

24. Reflection
How can this project be differentiated for different types of student populations, i.e. special education/Pre-AP/AP?
How does this project address the different aspects of TEKS 5F?
What changes would you need to make in order for this project to work in your classroom?

25. Questions/Discussion
Thank you for your time!
Please feel free to find our ppt and materials on the CAST website.
An opportunity for questions and discussions.