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Tree of life

Explore the basics of electricity and electrical circuits using conductive and insulating dough.

YOU WILL NEED

  • 1 x toilet roll,
  • 2 x pipe cleaner (large),
  • 2 x googley eyes,
  • 2 x LEDs,
  • brown string,
  • dark green dough,
  • light green dough,
  • glue

STEP 1

To make the "tree trunk", coil twine string around the tube. Then, secure the ends with glue.



Materials

1 x toilet roll
twine string


STEP 2

Roll out green conductive dough into a flat circle, just enough to cover the surface area of the toilet roll.



Materials

toilet roll, green conductive dough


STEP 3

Roll out green conductive dough into ~2cm ball. Then flatten it into the shape of a leave



Materials

green conductive dough


STEP 4

Place the rolled out dough on top of the textured part of the leaf. Then press the dough down to make an imprint



Materials

1 x leaf, conductive dough


STEP 5

Place "leaf" on top of the "tree trunk"


STEP 6

Repeat step 3 to 5 to create more "leaves"


STEP 7

Now, it's time to make the "caterpillar"! Roll out three 1cm balls using conductive dough


STEP 8

Roll out plasticine just enough to cover the length of the caterpillar. The plasticine will act as an insulation layer in between the "conductive caterpillar (negative terminal)" and "conductive leaves (positive terminal)". Without this layer, both of the terminals would touch each other and it'll create a short circuit.



Materials

Plasticine


STEP 9

Mould the insulation layer to cover half of the caterpillar's head. And make sure that it covers the length of the caterpillar.


STEP 10

To make its eyes light up, poke the shorter end (negative terminal) of the LED into the caterpillar. Ensure that there is enough insulation in between the LED pins, to prevent any short circuit


STEP 11

Before placing the caterpillar onto the tree, we have to test if it is able to conduct electricity properly. To do so, place the negative plate of the battery pack onto the caterpillars body. At the same time, place the positive plate on the exposed ends of the LEDs. If both LED lights up, it means that you're good to go



Materials

Squishy circuit battery pack


STEP 12

We're gonna complete the circuit now! Simply poke the exposed LED pins into the leaves


STEP 13

Slot in the positive plate of the battery pack in between the leaves. To close the circuit, place the negative plate onto the caterpillar's body. It's eyes should light up


STEP 14

(Optional - Make a snail) Roll the ends of two pipe cleaners.


STEP 15

Your tree of life is now complete! To challenge yourself, add more insects to the tree!


Code and References

Printables

  • tree_of_life_brochure_low_toner.pdf

    • Made this activity? Good Job! Now spread the word. Share a photo of your creation on social media with #letsgethacking #Treeoflife