STEM
Paper Circuits
Copper tape, LEDs and coin cell batteries turn artwork into something that lights up.
What happens
Participants build simple electrical circuits directly onto paper, using copper tape as the conductive pathway, LEDs and a coin cell battery to complete the circuit. Along the way they pick up the basics of current, polarity and open and closed circuits, then apply it by planning a card, poster or piece of artwork that actually lights up.
The session runs with a good balance of guidance and creative freedom: after laying the copper tape and wiring in the LEDs, there’s time to test, troubleshoot and decorate the finished piece to take home. We can also deliver this as a youth-led session, with a trained young person running the session under our guidance, rather than one of our team leading throughout.
Benefits
It’s an accessible, low-cost way into circuits and electronics that doubles as an art project, so participants leave with a physical object that lights up rather than just a diagram of how it works.
The details
- Who it's for
- Suitable for ages 8+ (younger participants welcome with close adult support). Ideal for schools, libraries, community groups and youth settings.
- Staffing
- A small team from us, sized to the group (a youth-led delivery option is also available)
- We bring
- Everything needed to build and decorate: copper tape, a range of coloured LEDs, coin cell batteries, cardstock, scissors, tape and materials for decorating, nothing for you to source.
What people get out of it
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A working circuit you can see
LEDs light up as soon as the copper tape pathway is complete.
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Art and electronics combined
Circuits are built straight into a card, poster or piece of artwork.
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A finished piece to take home
Everyone leaves with something they made and can show off.