Up With Paper Pop-Up Panoramics Light-Up Greeting Card - Holiday Lights, multi colored, 4x9 Inch (Model: A321LIT)

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Create copper traces: Begin the project by using copper tape to create a path for electricity. Notice that the card templates have icons to help in constructing the circuit; notice the symbols for cut, fold, copper tape, cut tape, LED, button and battery (see slide 5). 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.

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.) Begin with the pre-activity assessment about basic circuitry. Present the Introduction/Motivation content to the class. Then hand out the supplies and begin the presentation. 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 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.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. 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. 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. The next stop in the hop is the blog of Cassie Trask!You can also start at the hop’s beginning over at the Pear Blossom Press blog. SUPPLIES 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.

Try these techniques with other pop-up designs or have students create their own. Ask students: Can you figure out how to adapt the copper tape path to fit your card choice? Further ideas and card variations: After you finish coloring the template, cut an “X” where the LED will go. The last step is to fold your template in half. Step 3 – Apply Copper Tape Reflection Questions: As a class discussion or a journal writing assignment, ask students the following questions:

The kids were super excited to see all the lights lit up once we had everything put together! We drew and colored a simple tree to create this fun DIY light-up Christmas card!

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. For more advanced students, challenge them to add more LEDs and/or sensors and buzzers to their greeting card paper circuits.

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 Next, bend the other leg flat and curl it into a spiral by using the tip of a pliers to lightly grab the end of the wire and curl it around the tool. Flip your template over and apply copper tape to all of the brown lines. We recommend folding the copper at the corners versus cutting it. Keeping the copper in a single continuous strip will help with its continuity ensuring the LED lights. 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!