Learning STEAM Through Drawing Circuit Kits

CircuitScribe circuit kits make learning circuits engaging by allowing kids to draw their own circuits using a special silver pen.  A fun STEAM activity!

Now is the perfect time to teach your kids (and learn yourself) about circuitry.  I’ve seen many examples online that explain circuitry, but to kids, it’s uninspiring.

Circuitry is an excellent STEAM skill that helps kids understand basic concepts, cause-and-reaction, and may even lead them into a career or at the very least, help them take care of basic electricity issues in their house one day.

When you can make STEAM skills discoverable through play, it leaves a lasting effect on kids, especially if they are buildable skills.

One company I’ve had my eye on for a while is CircuitScribe.  CircuitScribe drawing circuit kits allow kids to “control” the flow of electricity with their own pen…the CircuitScribe pen!

The CircuitScribe pen contains non-toxic silver ink, which is electrically conductive when paired with electricity.  Kids can literally draw their own circuits with this special pen.

CircuitScribe Circuit Kits 

CircuitScribe makes several different circuit kits for kids to try out.  We tried out the CircuitScribe Ultra Kit which comes with 34 modules and pieces.  

The benefit of a larger kit is creating multiple paths using multiple controls (like volume controls, on-off switches, and light sensors) to multiple outputs like lights, color changes, sounds, etc.

In essence, CircuitScribe circuit kits teach kids how to use power to control outputs.  Kids learn that electricity needs to flow in a closed loop.  

For example, kids will draw a silver line from the power source (a battery) to a light. 

But in order for the light to work, they will need to draw a line back to the power source, keeping in mind positive (VCC) and negative (ground) attributes.

In other words, kids will connect the positive channel of power to the positive channel of light or switch (power coming in) and connect the negative channel of the light or switch to the negative channel of the power source (power going out).

So How Does it Work?

CircuitScribe circuit kits make it easy.  In the Ultra Maker Kit, you are given…(a)…

9V Battery adapter with 9V battery 
x4 LEDs
x3 Switches
Transistor
DIY Connector with 5x resistors (100, 1k, 10k, 100k and 1M ohm), 2x capacitors (0.1uF, 1.0uF), and one photoresistor (10k ohms)
Dial – 10k ohms
Blinker
Buzzer
Multi-Colored LED 
Light Sensor
Motor & Foam Wheel
x10 Connector Cables 
Dimmer

Conductive Ink Pen 
Circuit Stencil 
Jumper Sticker Sheet
Workbook 
Steel sheet

To get started, you open up the CircuitScribe Inventors Notebook and begin work. Place the steel sheet behind the page you are working on, the modules will magnetize to them through the paper.

CircuitScribes teaches you how to draw the silver dots onto which you place the CircuitScribe modules and the lines that connect the power module (with the battery) to the output module (lights, sound, etc.).

The lines drawn between the power and output modules with the CircuitScribe pen flows the current. 

Kids will learn between an open current (no flow of electricity, as when a switch is turned off) and a closed circuit, when energy flows through the circuit.

As kids progress through the Inventors Notebook they can fill out the silver circle bases (for the modules) and current lines with the CircuitScribe pen.

As kids progress in the Inventors Notebook, they will learn to create lights, a buzzer, light switches, and even a motor that twirls.

CircuitScribe is a great example of a STEAM kit in that it incorporates art into its kits. 

Kids can draw circuits in a fashionable way, incorporate different color papers, and even add cardboard to make 3D projects.

Lines don’t need to be drawn in straight lines.  Lines could be words, drawn in cursive.  As long as there are no breaks in the lines, the current can still flow through them.

If older kids show an increased interest, the Ultra Kit includes Connector Cables to connect their paper circuits to an Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or Makey Makey kits to get do even more with CircuitScribe.

 

• Lots of modules to create circuits involving lights, a buzzer, even a motor
• Kids learn about series and parallel circuits and their effect on lights
• Kids learn how to make a paper touch sensor and how to boost power to get to modules that need more power
• Kits come with a CircuitScribe Conductive Ink Pen to draw circuits between modules
• Ink is non-toxic
• Comes with 10 magnetic connection cables to connect paper circuits to other programmable platforms like Arduino and Makey Makey
• Teaches kids circuitry and encourages them to explore different concepts like open/closed loops, serial/parallel circuits, and polarity through trial and error

Pros:

• The Inventors Notebook is a great tool for teaching kids basic circuitry
• The steel sheet behind the Notebook paper is brilliant so modules don’t slide during circuit discovery
• There are plenty of modules in the Ultra Kit to try out multiple switches and lights at the same time
• Adding art to circuitry is brilliant.  The CircuitScribe Pen allows kids to make their circuit lines artistic
• The pen can make up to 260 feet of traces, or in other words, it can completely color up to 7 1/4 sheets of paper, no need to skimp using it
• The traces can last up to years and still work!
• A light on the power module shows that power is going through it.  You’ll know if you’re battery died if no light comes on
• Is a fun engaging way to learn about circuits
• Shows kids that even with a break in a circuit line, you can use your two fingers to carry a circuit
• Briefly teaches kids about resistors and their function

Cons:

• The Ultra Kit may be a bit pricy, but there are other CircuitScribe kits that are good starter kits that cost less
• The resistor section (resistors are included) was very interesting.  The Inventors Notebook should have included further examples of how to use them

The CircuitScribe Ultra Kit is available from their website for $99.99 plus shipping.

A Mom’s Perspective

The thing I love most about CircuitScribe circuit kits is the level of direct interactivity kids have with the circuits.  It’s more than just placing modules on a steel board and paper.

The lines connecting the modules together are drawn from kids. 

Whether they draw a straight line or a line that involves their name in cursive, their direct input with pen in hand draws the ultimate connection.

I’ve seen some STEAM kits where they show a few examples, but they don’t get into too much detail for fear of kids not using their imagination. 

For many kids, they get bored and move on.

On the other hand, I’ve seen some kits with SO MUCH detail that it overwhelms kids and they move on to other things.

CircuitScribe does it right.  They show kids different ways to draw circuits and use their modules. 

They even add extra pages at the back of the Inventors Notebook so kids can try concepts and circuits on their own.

The only thing they could have added was perhaps some project ideas for some starter projects for kids to try to work out.

Because of its interactivity, CircuitScribe is one of the best STEAM products we’ve tried in teaching kids what circuits are all about. 

For more STEAM ideas, see our STEAM gift ideas from December.

*I was given a CircuitScribe Ultra Circuit Kits in exchange for my opinion.  All opinions are my own.