Squishy Circuits uses
conductive playdo to allow kids to build their own circuitry. It’s a masterful
tool for helping kids learn the basics of experimental science. Because it
allows for constant trials and revisions using manageable materials that
produce immediate and engaging results, kids can exercise their deductive
reasoning skills while they play. Kids in the middle years can take advantage of Squishy Circuits attributes, but it's particularly great for elementary aged kids.
Each set comes with a 4 AA
battery pack, many different colored LEDs, a motor, and two sound outputs. The
only thing that is missing is the wires to connect them: you have to make that!
Recipes for the conductive dough comes
with the set. There is also a recipe for insulating dough, which lacks the salt
and citric acid of the conductive dough.
This is where the tactile
comes in. Kids roll and mold the dough that has been mixed- and colored- into
shapes that can support the circuit elements. The leads off the battery pack
are inserted into the dough and voila, circuitry- provided the basic rules of circuitry
have been followed: that’s what they explore.
The pleasure young children experience
with this is immense. The squishiness has that tactile appeal of playing in the
mud and the electrical outputs provide a wow factor. The maleability of the
medium allows for constant experimentation and revision- not to mention the
stimulating squeezing and rolling that little kids will do with something flexible
in their hands.
Besides the fundamentals of a
circuit, the sets provides great ways to demonstrate current flow- the LEDs are
one way- and resistance. Invariably, kids stick multiple LEDs in their dough
and can see how those further down the line receive less electron flow.
A good preview of a kid’s
spin on Squishy Circuits can be found at http://sylviashow.com/episodes/s2/e7/mini/squishycircuits
. For a more more intellectualized examination, check out the TED talk by
Annmarie Thomas: http://www.ted.com/talks/annmarie_thomas_squishy_circuits.html