This week we have been testing different materials to see if they are electrical conductors or insulators. The children made series circuits containing a battery, a bulb and each material tested one at a time, to keep the test fair. If the lamp lit up, the material was an electrical conductor.

We talked about which of these materials would be good for an electrician to use to prevent him or herself from getting an electric shock when working with circuits. Rubber, wood, cardboard and plastic were good electrical insulators. Aluminium and copper were good electrical conductors.

The children then presented their findings orally, using scientific vocabulary and answering our initial question, which was: Which materials are electrical insulators, to keep an electrician safe when working with circuits?