Table 2 Summary of the learning sequence implemented in the control group
From: Effect of a STEM approach on students’ cognitive structures about electrical circuits
Lesson | Description | Curricular contents about electrical circuits | Learning objectives regarding electrical circuits |
|---|---|---|---|
1 (90 min) | The teacher begins the theme with a short introduction on the importance of electricity in daily life, defines what is electric current, and identifies good and bad conductors of electric current. The teacher presents the components of a simple electrical circuit, including its function and operation | Simple electrical circuits Components of an electrical circuit Electrical conductors and insulators | Plan and assemble simple electrical circuits Give examples of good and bad electrical conductors |
2 (90 min) | The teacher defines what voltage is and its SI unit (V, volt). The teacher presents the intensity of electric current and its SI unit (A, ampere). The teacher presents the measurement devices, as well as the way they connect. Resolution of exercises about the contents taught | Intensity of the electric current and voltage: definition, units, and measurement equipment (ammeter and voltmeter) | Measure electrical physical quantities (voltage, electric current) using measuring devices and using the appropriate units |
3 (45 min) | Students perform an experimental activity, based on a provided protocol, with the objective of building a simple electrical circuit and make some measurements. The teacher makes the necessary material available for students and requests the answer to some post-laboratory questions | Construction of a simple circuit Measurement of the intensity of the electric current and voltage (using an ammeter and a voltmeter) | Plan and assemble simple electrical circuits Give examples of good and bad electrical conductors Measure electrical physical quantities (voltage, electric current) using measuring devices and using the appropriate units |
4 (90 min) | The teacher reviews the concepts taught in previous lessons and presents the symbolic representation of the electrical circuits and their components. Resolution of exercises on the concepts taught and on the experimental activity | Symbolic representation of electrical circuits | Schematize electrical circuits |
5 (90 min) | The teacher uses a simulation to present the associations of electrical components in series and in parallel. Exploration of the simulation by the teacher. The professor mentions how to interleave an ammeter in a circuit to measure the current in a branch of that circuit | Electrical circuits with lamps in series and in parallel | Measure electrical physical quantities (voltage, electric current) using measuring devices and using the appropriate units, checking how the voltage and electric current varies in associations in series and in parallel |
6 (45 min) | Realization of an experimental activity, which aims to build electrical circuits with components in series and in parallel and perform measurements of voltage and electrical current intensity. The activity is oriented through a provided protocol | Electrical circuits with lamps in series and in parallel | Measure electrical physical quantities (voltage, electric current) using measuring devices and using the appropriate units, checking how the voltage and electric current varies in associations in series and in parallel |
7 (90 min) | The teacher indicates the factors on which the electrical current that passes through a component of a circuit depends and defines electrical resistance. The teacher presents the SI unit of electrical resistance (Ω, Ohm) | Electrical resistance | Measure electrical physical quantities (resistance) using measuring devices and using the appropriate units |
8 (90 min) | The teacher explores a simulation to discuss how the intensity of electric current varies with resistance to a constant voltage and enunciates Ohm's Law. Resolution of exercises on Ohm's Law | Ohm’s Law | Relate electrical currents at various electrical points and voltages in simple circuits and evaluate the association of receivers in series and in parallel Enunciate Ohm's law and apply it |
9 (45 min) | Based on an established protocol, students perform an activity to verify Ohm's law | Ohm’s Law | Relate electrical currents at various electrical points and voltages in simple circuits and evaluate the association of receivers in series and in parallel Enunciate Ohm's law and apply it |