1. Magic Wand

2. How does it work?
When electricity flows through an LED (light-emitting diode), the LED lights up
We need a battery, two LEDs, some wire, a switch and some know-how!

3. Need to learn some things
How to read an electrical schematic
What parts we’re using
How to build the flashlight

4. Reading Schematics:
What’s this?
Battery

5. What’s this? Diode Lets current flow one direction but not the other
YES X NO

6. Electrical circuit
Must have a closed path all the way from one terminal of the battery to the other

7. Will current flow?

8. How about here?

9. And here?

10. Will current flow?

11. How about now?

12. Schematic versus real life
long lead is anode
anode
cathode

13. Here’s our battery Called a coin or button battery
This one is only 3 V
Hey, we don’t need a resistor then!
Notice the top is positive- that should connect to the anode (long lead)

14. Are you ready to build? Star Coin battery LED 2 pieces wire Paper clip
Straw
Sandpaper

15. LEDs: one lead is longer!
If you forget which is longer, look for the flat- that’s the short lead

16. Bend the LONG lead

17. Lay the long lead on the battery
Short!
Must be the side with the writing!
Short!
Short!
TAPE IT!

18. Burn speaker leads
Burn 1 inch of the end of each of the two wires coming off the coil.

19. Scrape the soot off the ends
Burned
(black)
Not burned yet (golden)

20. Make a loop, tape it to back of battery

21. Open up the paper clip
Twist other end of wire around back of alligator’s mouth

22. Attach second wire to other LED lead

23. Tape battery to star

24. Tape straw to star

25. Put tape inside alligator’s mouth

26. Tape paper clip to handle

27. Put burned part of wire inside alligator’s mouth

28. Tape the end of the wire
Don’t get tape INSIDE mouth

29. Tape other end of wire

30. You are done!
Squeeze the paper clip to close the circuit and light up the wand!