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Item #96-1500
Electricity & Circuits
Best Seller
Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit
$109.00
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Model and compare real-world circuits with ease
Arbor Scientific’s Investigating Electric Circuits Kit makes learning electric circuits simple and hands-on. Magnet-mounted components attach to a reusable dry-erase mat, allowing students to quickly build and explore open and closed circuits, as well as series and parallel circuits, without tangled wires. By comparing bulb brightness and circuit behavior, students begin to understand current, voltage, and resistance while connecting real circuits to circuit diagrams and Ohm’s Law.
Two configurations are available to support your instructional needs. The Investigating Electric Circuit Kit focuses on circuit construction and qualitative relationships. There’s an option to add Miniature Digital Ammeters and Voltmeters for direct measurement and quantitative analysis.
Why Teachers Love Investigating Electric Circuits
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Cleaner circuits, clearer thinking: Magnetic components stay in place, making circuits easy to build, modify, and interpret at a glance.
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Concepts grow with students: Progresses naturally from simple circuits to more complex models, including introductory “home circuit” connections.
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Built for the classroom: Durable magnetic bases and stackable connector posts withstand repeated student use, with replacement parts available as needed.
Product Details
Kit Options
- Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit
- Focuses on electric circuit construction and qualitative relationships
- Uses bulb brightness to compare current and resistance in series and parallel circuits
- Does not include digital ammeters or voltmeters
- Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit w/ Mini Meters
- Includes all components from the Basic Kit
- Adds a Mini Digital Ammeter and Mini Digital Voltmeter
- Supports quantitative circuit investigations and direct application of Ohm’s Law
What Students Learn with the Investigating Electric Circuits Kit
- Differences between open and closed electric circuits
- Behavior of series, parallel, and combination circuits
- Relationships among current, voltage, and resistance
- How physical circuit models connect to schematic diagrams
- Introductory applications of Ohm’s Law (Deluxe Kit)
Classroom Use
- Designed for middle school physical science and introductory high school physics
- Ideal for guided inquiry labs, learning stations, and small-group investigations
- Magnetic circuit layout supports quick checks and whole-class discussion
Replacement & Compatibility
- All Investigating Electric Circuits components are available individually
Compatible with additional Arbor Scientific circuit accessories
Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.
Product Specifications
What's Included:
Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit
1 Magnetic Receptive Mat - 24.25" x 16.5"
1 Knife Switch with Magnetic Base
3 Bulb Sockets with Connectors and Magnetic Base
3 D-Cell Battery Holders with Magnetic Base
2 Connector Posts with Magnetic Base
10 Miniature Lamps - 2.5V, 0.3A
10 Alligator Leads - 6"
10 Alligator Leads - 16”
Instructional Guide
Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit w/ Mini Ammeter and Voltmeter
1 Mini Digital Voltmeter
1 Mini Digital Ammeter
1 Magnetic Receptive Mat - 24.25" x 16.5"
1 Knife Switch with Magnetic Base
3 Bulb Sockets with Connectors and Magnetic Base
3 D-Cell Battery Holders with Magnetic Base
2 Connector Posts with Magnetic Base
10 Miniature Lamps - 2.5V, 0.3A
10 Alligator Leads - 6"
10 Alligator Leads - 16”
Instructional Guide
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit?
The Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit is a hands-on physics kit that allows students to build and test electrical circuits while learning key concepts like voltage, current, and resistance. It includes all components needed to create simple to complex circuits using an inquiry-based approach.
What does the Electrical Circuits Kit teach?
This kit helps students understand fundamental electricity concepts, including:
- Open and closed circuits
- Series and parallel circuits
- Combination circuits
- Voltage, current, and resistance
It emphasizes conceptual understanding before calculations, making it ideal for foundational learning.
How does the Investigating Electrical Circuits Kit work?
Students build circuits by connecting components such as batteries, bulbs, and switches mounted on magnetic bases. These components attach to a magnetic dry-erase mat, allowing circuits to be easily assembled, modified, and diagrammed.
What is included in the kit?
The base kit includes:
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1 Magnetic Receptive Mat - 24.25" x 16.5"
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1 Knife Switch with Magnetic Base
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3 Bulb Sockets with Connectors and Magnetic Base
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3 D-Cell Battery Holders with Magnetic Base
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2 Connector Posts with Magnetic Base
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10 Miniature Lamps - 2.5V, 0.3A
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10 Alligator Leads - 6"
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10 Alligator Leads - 16”
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Instructional Guide with activities
These materials support a wide range of circuit-building experiments.
What experiments can students do with this kit?
- Build simple and complex circuits
- Compare series vs. parallel circuits
- Observe brightness changes in bulbs
- Model real-world home wiring systems
- Measure voltage and current (with optional meters)
These activities reinforce both conceptual and practical understanding of electricity.
What makes this circuits kit different from others?
This kit stands out because:
- Components are magnet-mounted for easy setup and organization
- The mat doubles as a dry-erase board for diagrams
- Connector posts allow quick, flexible circuit changes
- It supports inquiry-based learning, not just step-by-step labs
This design reduces setup time and increases student engagement.
What grade level is this kit best for?
The kit is ideal for:
- Middle school science
- High school physics
- Introductory STEM courses
It can scale from basic circuit concepts to more advanced electrical investigations.
Can students measure voltage and current with this kit?
Yes. While not required, the kit is designed to work with digital ammeters and voltmeters, allowing students to measure:
- Current in series and parallel circuits
- Voltage distribution across components
This helps connect hands-on experiments with quantitative analysis.
How does this kit model real-world electrical systems?
Students use the kit to simulate home electrical circuits, including:
- Switch-controlled lighting
- Parallel circuits where devices operate independently
- Circuit breakers that prevent overload
This real-world connection makes learning more relevant and practical.
Why is inquiry-based learning important in this kit?
The kit encourages students to:
- Design their own circuits
- Test predictions
- Observe outcomes and refine ideas
This approach builds deeper understanding compared to memorization or purely theoretical instruction.
What are the benefits of using this kit in the classroom?
Teachers use this kit because it:
- Makes abstract electrical concepts visible
- Reduces setup time with organized components
- Supports hands-on, collaborative learning
- Aligns with physics and STEM standards
It’s designed for repeated classroom use with durable materials.
How do series and parallel circuits differ in this kit?
Using the kit, students discover:
- Series circuits: Same current flows through all components; voltage is shared
- Parallel circuits: Each branch gets full voltage; currents add together
These patterns are observed directly through experiments.
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WARNING: Cancer & Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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