Prepare and place the LED(s): Now that the copper is in place, it is time to add the light. Each template has an LED symbol that shows a shaped wire. Using this method helps us remember which LED side is positive or negative. Share with the class the following excerpt from the light-emitting diodes tutorial about LED polarity:

Electronic circuits are at the core of nearly every new technology. Circuits power cell phones, computers and televisions, and are essential in cars, houses and kitchens. Circuits are everywhere and modern innovations would not be possible without them. Circuits enable electricity to flow between speakers, bulbs, buzzers, sensors, buttons and batteries. When engineers design new technologies, they often design and build companion electronic circuits so the technology functions as intended. In this activity, students are reminded about how electronic circuits work and then build their own circuits using simple, easy-to-use materials and provided templates (three designs). A PowerPoint® presentation is provided. Never connect the positive and negative terminals of a battery directly together as this causes a short circuit and the connecting material may become very hot. For more advanced students, challenge them to add more LEDs and/or sensors and buzzers to their greeting card paper circuits. Set up a computer and projector to show the class the 13-slide Making Light-Up Pop-Up Greeting Cards Presentation, a PowerPoint® file. Alternatively, as makes sense for your class, just show/make handouts of certain slides for students or use the slides as a teacher preparation resource.My kids are loving this type of engineering activities lately! Do you have one that we should try next? This light-up Thanksgiving turkey circuit craft from Left Brain Craft Brain is pretty adorable! Some familiarity with electronic circuits and a working knowledge of the function of LEDs, batteries and wires. If new to working with electronics, see the Additional Multimedia Support Section for suggested online resources. Prior Knowledge: In an informal discussion, quiz students about the key elements of basic circuity to see what they know about the essential circuit components and the importance of creating a continuous circuit. As necessary, refer to the diagram on slide 2 in the Making Light-Up Pop-Up Greeting Cards Presentation. Insert a battery: Once all the components are installed, test the circuit by adding a battery (see Figure 4 and slide 8). Carefully slip the battery underneath the copper tape flap made earlier and center it inside the circle icon. Make sure the positive side of the battery (top, marked with the battery model and +) is facing up. Press the copper flap over the battery, and tape it down with clear tape.

optional) vellum or parchment paper, to create a diffused effect for LEDs, such as in the center of the heart in the I <3 U design These DIY Light-up Christmas cards are easy and fun to make. A wonderful STEM themed Christmas activity for kids!electron: A subatomic particle found in all atoms and acting as the primary carrier of electricity in solids.

Have you ever wanted to give someone a Valentine’s card or a greeting card of some kind, and wanted to really impress them? Are you feel limited or bored with making the same old drawings with pencil, pen or marker? Did you know it is possible to create greeting cards that light up? Well today is your chance to make the best Valentine’s Day (or birthday, Arbor Day, holiday, etc.) card ever! Making Light-Up Pop-Up Greeting Cards Presentation, a PowerPoint® file, to project to the class, make selected handouts or use as a teacher preparation resourceEvery LED has a long leg and short leg. The long leg is the positive (+) and the short leg is the (-) negative. Line up the positive (longer) LED lead with the copper tape marked + (plus) and the negative with – (minus). Use clear tape over the wire to hold it down to the copper. paper circuit: A low-voltage electronic circuit created on paper using conductive copper tape, LEDs and a power source such as a small battery. Once all wire shaping is complete, place the LED on a table or flat surface to make sure it lays flat and with the bulb upright. If not, make any adjustments now. Depending on the age of the students, have them especially use care with the hobby knives, which are very sharp.

Print the template you want to use and select “Properties” in your printer settings. There should be a section to select 2-sided printing. Step 2 – Color, Cut & Fold At this point your circuit is complete. Fold the card and push the LED through the “x” you cut earlier. Cut a short strip of copper tape and roll it in a ball with the conductive adhesive facing out. Place this ball in the battery circle on top of the copper tape circuit.The next step is to attach the LED to the template. Before you can do this, you need to determine which side of the LED is positive and negative. Fold the card in half along the dotted center line before moving onto the next step. Tip: It is easier to make a crisp and neat fold now, before the circuit components are added to the paper. In this activity, you will get to design, customize and create your own light-up card that is powered with a mini battery, an LED (or multiple LEDs), and a circuit made of copper tape. Your design is totally up to you, but templates are available if you want some ideas. (Adjust the previous sentence depending on the teacher’s planned use of the provided three templates.) or more) LED; use the smallest size you can find so it does not add much bulk to the folded greeting card, such as 3-mm size for 35¢ each; for extra flair, consider using 3-mm, color-changing cycling RGB LEDs for 50¢ each; alternatively, cut apart individual LEDs from a set of LET string lights and then use a hobby knife to scrape the coating off the wires before using OR experiment with different LEDs to find what works best for the project objectives NOTE: If your LED leg is too long, you can bend it along the circuit as shown below on the positive side. Step 5 – Mount The Battery