For over 30 years, Fulton County REMC has been partnering with the Purdue Extension office of Fulton County to bring the circuit board program to 4th graders at local schools. We typically start our 4th-grade electrical tour with a safety demo so students can get familiar with electrical terms and safety. After the safety demo we set up a time to build the circuit boards.
This year our first school stop was at Caston where we were able to help build circuit boards with 70 of their students. Within a matter of three hours, students turn a wooden board and baggie of parts into a working circuit board. Not only are they learning about the electrical concept behind the parallel series circuit they are building, but they are also learning how to use basic tools like screwdrivers, wire strippers, and pliers. My personal favorite is listening to them repeat “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” as they put their screws in.
The last step of the project includes students soldering with the help of an adult. When the students are finished, they are able to test their circuit boards, the students light up when their light bulbs come on! Additionally, when the students are completely finished with the circuit board, they have a fully completed 4-H project that can be taken to the fair.
Completing this project at five local elementary schools takes a village and we would like to thank the Purdue Extension of Fulton County for their help and partnership, as well as the parent volunteers!
