Overview
In this lesson students are introduced to breadboards, one of the most important tools used in electronics and engineering. They learn that a breadboard allows them to build, test, and change circuits quickly without soldering. Students explore terminal strips, power busses, jumper wires, resistors, LEDs, and a push button switch. They follow a warm, gentle, step-by-step process to wire their first breadboard circuit and then add a switch to control the LED. By the end of the lesson, students not only understand how a breadboard is organized but also feel confident creating simple circuits from a diagram.
Student Learning Goals
By the end of this lesson students will be able to:
• Describe what a breadboard is and why makers use it
• Identify terminal strips and power busses
• Follow a diagram to build a simple LED circuit
• Explain the purpose of a resistor and why LEDs need protection
• Use jumper wires to connect positive and negative power rails
• Add a push-button switch to control a circuit
• Record their finished circuit as a diagram in their journals
Materials Needed
Breadboards
Jumper wires (various colors)
Battery pack with batteries installed
LEDs
10K resistors
Push-button switches
Journals and pencils
Teacher Preparation Notes
Test your breadboard example circuit ahead of time so you are comfortable with the wiring layout. Prepare a finished model to show students before they begin. Emphasize that the adhesive backing on the breadboard should never be peeled and stuck to anything—this ruins the board. Review how the power busses and terminal strips are organized so you can explain them slowly and clearly.
Safety Notes
We keep jumper wires away from faces and hair.
We do not bend LED legs repeatedly, as they can break.
We disconnect the battery pack before moving wires.
There is virtually zero electrical shock risk when using a small battery pack and breadboard.
We keep our work area neat so wires do not get tangled.
Warm Up Activity
Hold up a breadboard and ask:
What do you think all these tiny holes are for?
Let students guess. Then explain that today they will learn how makers build circuits quickly and safely using a breadboard.
Lesson Flow
Step One: What Is a Breadboard?
Use the slides to introduce the breadboard. Explain gently:
A breadboard is a base that lets us build circuits without soldering.
It helps us test ideas before building a permanent version.
Show and describe:
• Terminal strips (connected vertically)
• Power busses (positive and negative rails)
Stress that the back adhesive should never be used.
Step Two: Jumper Wires and Color Choices
Show the slide about wire colors. Explain that the colors do not change the function—they only help us stay organized.
Common practice:
Red = positive
Black = negative
Let students sort their jumpers by color.
Step Three: Resistors and LED Protection
Introduce the resistor. Keep the explanation warm and simple:
A resistor limits how much electricity can flow.
This protects delicate components like LEDs.
Tell students they’ll learn more about resistors later, but today they only need to understand that the resistor keeps the LED safe.
Step Four: Powering the Breadboard
Guide students to:
• Connect a red jumper from the battery pack positive to the positive bus
• Connect a black jumper from the battery pack negative to the negative bus
Have them draw this step in their journals.
Step Five: Insert the LED
Explain:
The long leg is positive.
The short leg is negative.
Students insert the LED legs into two different vertical rows on the terminal strip.
Make sure the long leg is on the side where the resistor will go.
Step Six: Add the Resistor
Students carefully bend the resistor into a shallow “U” shape.
Insert:
• One leg of the resistor into the same row as the LED’s long leg (positive)
• The other leg into any open row
Step Seven: Connect LED to Ground
Students place a black jumper between:
• The row with the LED’s short leg (negative)
• The negative bus
Ask students to record their progress in their journals.
Step Eight: Connect the Resistor to Power
Students place a red jumper between:
• The row with the free end of the resistor
• The positive bus
This completes the circuit. The LED should turn on.
Pause and celebrate with the class.
Step Nine: Add a Push Button Switch
Show the switch slide. Explain that the switch has four prongs and must straddle the gap between terminal strips.
Guide students:
- Disconnect the red power wire from the resistor.
- Place the switch so two prongs are on each side of the gap.
- Connect a red jumper from the resistor row to one prong of the switch.
- Connect another red jumper from the opposite switch prong to the positive bus.
Students press the button and watch the LED turn on.
Journal prompt:
Draw your full circuit with the switch included.
Step Ten: Circuit Diagram Practice
Use the final slide to help students diagram their breadboard circuit. Encourage careful labeling of:
• Battery
• LED
• Resistor
• Wires
• Switch
Reassure students that neatness is helpful, but perfection is not required.
Teacher Notes for Each Slide
Slide 1 Title: Introduce calm, encouraging tone.
Slides 2–5 Breadboard purpose and structure: Move slowly.
Slide 6 Adhesive warning: Stress importance.
Slides 7–9 Jumper wires: Explain color conventions.
Slides 10–12 Resistors: Keep simple.
Slides 13–20 Wiring LED circuit: Guide step-by-step.
Slides 21–30 Switch installation: Model one time before students try.
Slide 31 Diagram practice: Encourage students to capture their circuit.
Independent or Group Activity
Have students choose a different LED color and rebuild the circuit from scratch using their own diagram as a guide.
Vocabulary and Concepts
Breadboard A tool for building circuits without soldering
Terminal strip A column of connected holes
Power bus A row that distributes power
Resistor A component that limits electric current
LED A light that only works in one direction
Switch A device that opens or closes a circuit
Wrap Up
Ask:
What part of using the breadboard felt easiest today?
What part are you still curious about?
Exit Ticket
Draw a breadboard and label the power busses.
Or write one sentence about why a resistor is important.
Quiz
- What is a breadboard used for?
- Which leg of the LED is positive?
- Why do we use a resistor with an LED?
- What does a switch do in a circuit?
- Why should you never peel the adhesive backing on a breadboard?
Teacher Reflection
Did students feel confident connecting the breadboard rows?
Was the step-by-step approach supportive enough?
Would a larger printed diagram help next time?