Adapted from lesson plan by Learning Through an Expanded Arts Program (LEAP)
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| A working lamp made by a fourth grade student at PS144Q. |
OBJECTIVE
To learn about basic electricity and understand electrical circuits by
building a working lamp.
INTRODUCTION
Creating Tiffany lamps with your class provides
connections to numerous paths of study. In History subjects, Tiffany can
be tied to the History of New York City, the Industrial Revolution and the
development of light bulbs as common household products. In science subjects,
students can learn about electricity, light, color mixing and plant studies.
The lesson provided here will focus on basic electrical concepts and the
creation of a working electrical circuit.
MATERIALS
Per student:
Plastic soda bottle (not larger than 20oz)
Plastic bowl or plate
Approx. 3 ft of standard household electrical wire
Plug (self stripping)
Light socket (the kind with an on/off switch, and cardboard covering, to
fit standard size light bulb)
25 watt light bulb
Armature wire (soft aluminum from art store, about 3 ft.)
Tools used:
Wire cutter/stripper
Scissors
Hole puncher
Hot glue gun
Box cutter
Black electrical tape
Screw driver (to match screws on light socket)
Other items:
Dark metallic paint
Brushes
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| Students used screwdrivers to attach lamp fittings. |
The diagram should provide assistance in following the procedures listed
below. Click on it for a printable version.
Cut off bottom of soda bottle using box cutter. Keep even bottom so bottle
stands up straight. Push hole in center of plastic bowl and punch hole
near rim of bowl.
Split wire: Use wire cutter to split wire into two, creating a "V" at one end of wire
Strip wire: Use wire stripper to strip off about 1 inch of plastic from both ends of "V", exposing copper wire. Twist copper strands together to have two single wires.
Prepare light socket: Remove cardboard or other protective covering. Loosen both screws. (Use "Lefty loosey, righty tighty" rhyme to know which way to turn)
Find identified wire: Of the two, one will have writing on it, this is the identified wire. Make a hook on at the end.
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| We mounted the bottles onto plastic bowls. |
Wrap identified wire: Wrap wire around silver hook, hook towards the right. Carefully screw in silver screw. IMPORTANT: Copper wire should NOT touch itself at all. This will create a short circuit, sending the electricity back onto itself causing the circuit to blow. Every student should double check this with a teacher.
To assemble: Attach other wire to brass screw, check the wiring. Replace protective covering again, DO NOT let copper wires touch each other. String the free end of wire into mouth of bottle through bottom, into hole of upside down bowl, outside rim hole of bowl. Secure light socket to mouth of bottle with electrical tape. Glue gun the bottle to the bowl, making sure it stands straight. Attach armature wire to top of lamp to support lamp shade. Attach plug to the other end of the wire, remove plug from plastic protector. Slide plastic part on to end of wire, open plug into "W" shape. Push end of wire into plug, close "W". Check that pointy prongs of the plug have pierced wire. Then re-insert plug back into plastic protector. Paint lamp base to look like Tiffany's metal bases using dark metallic paint (metallic paint can be mixed with black paint).
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| Art and science come together as we place our lamp shades on top of our working lamps. |
ASSESSMENT
Was the class able to complete the
task? Are they able to understand how electricity works? Have the class
write up a description of what or how they think the bulb is able to light
up.
FOLLOW-UP
Design a
Tiffany style lampshade to attach to the lamp base
Organize an exhibition of the lamps that the class made
LEARNING STANDARDS
Information about state and national Learning Standards is available
at http://www.topicseducation.com/links.htm.
Please note: selecting this link will open a new browser window on your
computer.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS
Art
Science
Math
Social Studies
