New
New
Year 5

Add a switch to a design

I can add a switch to a vehicle body.

New
New
Year 5

Add a switch to a design

I can add a switch to a vehicle body.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The slide switch needs to be added to the electrical system.
  2. The battery packs needs to be attached last and connections secured.
  3. Bare wires can be secured with insulating electrical tape

Keywords

  • Switch - controls the flow of electricity by completing or breaking a circuit

  • Insulating - does not allow heat or electricity to pass through it

  • Connection - where two things meet and touch

Common misconception

Simple eletrical systems are not dangerous.

All exposed electrical wires need to be covered to prevent injury or fire.


To help you plan your year 5 design and technology lesson on: Add a switch to a design, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils may wish to practise building a simple circuit with a motor before attepting to connect the components of the circuit in their vehicle. This would help pupils understand the connections required to make their circuit work.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Please see 'Additional Materials' document for detals of the equipment and resources needed for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call a series of electrical components, such a switches, bulbs and batteries, that is connected by wires?
a circle
a circus
a circumference
Correct answer: a circuit
Q2.
Which of these is the symbol for a switch in a circuit diagram?
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
In what ways can electricity be dangerous?
it can trip you up
Correct answer: it can electrocute or shock you
Correct answer: it can start fires
it can be too loud
Q4.
What do we call a mechanism that has a band or rope rotating a grooved wheel and is used for lifting or rotating objects?
Correct Answer: a pulley, pulley, a pulley system, a pulley mechanism, pulleys
Q5.
What are wheels usually connected to on a vehicle?
Correct answer: an axle
an anchor
a wire
the vehicle body
Q6.
What is the base or frame of a vehicle called?
body
Correct answer: chassis
bonnet
bumper

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When should a battery pack (with cells) be connected to a circuit?
first
Correct answer: last
second
doesn't matter
Q2.
What do we call materials, such as electrical tape, that do not let electricity pass through them?
An image in a quiz
conductors
wires
connectors
Correct answer: insulators
Q3.
Finish the statements.
Correct Answer:A complete circuit...,allows electricity to flow.

allows electricity to flow.

Correct Answer:A broken circuit...,does not allow electricity to flow.

does not allow electricity to flow.

Correct Answer:An open switch will...,break a circuit.

break a circuit.

Correct Answer:A closed switch will...,complete a circuit.

complete a circuit.

Q4.
What is this tool used for?
An image in a quiz
measuring the length of wires
Correct answer: stripping insulation off wires
connecting wires to each other
making wire connections safe
Q5.
What word is used to describe 'where two things meet and touch'?
Correct answer: connection
conduction
insulation
inspiration
Q6.
True or false? A switch is a type of output.
true
Correct answer: false

Additional material

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