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Introducing components and circuits
This Science video introduces teachers to the key knowledge and skills needed to help pupils recognise and use electrical components to build a working circuit. It explores how pupils can identify the key parts of a circuit – a power supply, a complete loop, and at least one device – and supports teachers in guiding children through early use of bulbs, buzzers, and motors. The video also models how to support children in spotting open and closed switches, building series circuits, and recognising why a circuit may not work.
This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Science – Electricity videos. It simplifies the terminology, demonstrates how to build and test safe, functional circuits, and prepares teachers to help pupils lay out components, troubleshoot common issues, and safely handle electrical equipment. While pupils will use the terms cell and battery interchangeably at this stage, the video also introduces scientific drawing conventions and supports confident use of simple diagrams to represent real electrical systems.
Science, Lower key stage 2, Year 4, Energy: Electricity and circuits, Lesson 2: Building circuits