Grade 3 · Coding & Electronics · Lesson 182

Press-to-Light Card

Make a folded greeting card with one red LED that turns on only when a cardboard button is pressed.

Time2 × 45 minutesTeamsPairs; switch builder and safety-checker rolesEquipmentBeginner low-voltage classroom electronics

Your project in view

What you are making

Make a folded greeting card with one red LED that turns on only when a cardboard button is pressed.

This generated example illustrates one possible finished design—not actual student work. Use the lesson’s sizes, connected parts and safety steps; your colors and creative details can be different.

Finished classroom example of Press-to-Light Card: Make a folded greeting card with one red LED that turns on only when a cardboard button is pressed.
Press-to-Light Card · Generated project example

Student directions · Grade 3

What will you make and do?

You will make this specific beginner electronics project: Make a folded greeting card with one red LED that turns on only when a cardboard button is pressed. Your finished build must clearly show what the input or switch controls.

Teacher overview: Students will plan the specific object described below, make and test a first version, then use their results to improve it. Read one step together, demonstrate the unfamiliar action, and let students complete that step before moving on.

  1. 1Plan your project

    Draw the project before building. Label the safe power source, the input or switch, the output, and the complete path electricity should follow.

  2. 2Make the first parts

    Build with power disconnected. Follow this project-specific action: Lay copper-tape paths on the inside of the card. Put the resistor and LED in series, then make a folded paper flap that closes the final gap only when pressed. Compare every real connection with the teacher diagram.

  3. 3Put it together

    Ask an adult to check the power source, resistor or approved module, polarity, secure parts, and possible short circuits before the first powered trial.

  4. 4Test it fairly

    Use the same starting conditions and collect evidence: Press and release the button ten times, recording whether the LED turns on and off correctly each time. Record the expected output and actual output for every trial.

  5. 5Improve one part

    Disconnect power before changing one connection, position, support, switch, sensor setting, or program feature. Obtain another adult check and repeat the test.

  6. 6Show and turn in

    Show the working press-to-light card and turn in the labeled circuit map, complete test table, revised project, and one evidence-based improvement statement.

How will you know it works?

  • LED lights only while the button is pressed
  • Circuit works in at least 8 of 10 presses
  • Explain the power source → input/control → output path

Before you move on

Tell a partner what you are making. Point to the part you will work on next. Draw or dictate your test notes if writing slows you down.

Machine cutting, printer setup and electrical power-on require adult approval. A basic-materials model is a valid way to demonstrate the design when equipment is unavailable.

Keep your plan, test notes and before-and-after evidence with the printable design brief below. Use the detailed teacher plan and any coding guide for tool instructions. These steps continue across the lesson’s meetings, not all in one sitting.

Beginner sequence · Step 1 of 3

Start here

Readiness check: Students can identify the power source, input or switch, and output in a picture. Before class, rehearse the exact safe build with the listed components.

Exact starter recipe

POWER OFF. Arrange and label the parts first.
Teacher-approved power (+) → input or switch → output with its required resistor/module → power (−).
For this project: Lay copper-tape paths on the inside of the card. Put the resistor and LED in series, then make a folded paper flap that closes the final gap only when pressed.
Teacher checks the complete path before power-on. Disconnect power before every change.

Make the simplest version work first. Then use the test and extension in this lesson.

Teacher learning resources

Preview external resources before class. The circuit reference explains the science; use this page’s specified AA kit and connection list for the build.

For teachers

Engineering standards

This shows how the lesson connects to the national NGSS engineering standards and what student work you can collect.

Assessed

3-5-ETS1-1

Define the job of the press-to-light card, its two success checks and the low-voltage safety limits.

What students show: Labeled input–output plan with criteria and constraints.
Practiced

3-5-ETS1-2

Compare two layouts or control ideas before choosing the easiest safe version to build and test.

What students show: Two small sketches and one criteria-based choice.
Assessed

3-5-ETS1-3

Use the same procedure for repeated trials: Press and release the button ten times, recording whether the LED turns on and off correctly each time. Change one feature and repeat.

What students show: Before-and-after test record and evidence-based explanation.

Materials

  • two-AA covered battery holder
  • red LED
  • 330 Ω resistor
  • copper tape
  • cardstock
  • foam spacer
  • Planning pencil, circuit map, data table and printable student brief
  • Color-coded component labels and teacher-prepared insulated leads

Teacher preparation

  1. Gather and verify these exact parts: two-AA covered battery holder; red LED; 330 Ω resistor; copper tape; cardstock; foam spacer.
  2. Build and test one reference circuit using the manufacturer ratings; prepare a large color-coded connection diagram.
  3. Prepare the project structure and difficult cuts, stripped leads, motor hubs or sensor modules before students arrive.
  4. Set up a clearly marked POWER OFF build area, adult-check point and short powered-test area.
  5. Print the student brief and make a troubleshooting card: battery orientation → secure clips → resistor/module → LED polarity → switch gap.

Step by step

How to teach it

Class 1 · 0–8

Name the job

  1. Make a folded greeting card with one red LED that turns on only when a cardboard button is pressed.
  2. Point out the input or switch and output. Read the two success checks and safety limits.
Class 1 · 8–18

Model the circuit

  1. Teach closed and open circuits with a large diagram.
  2. Trace one complete path from positive to negative. Model power off before touching any connection.
Class 1 · 18–35

Build with power off

  1. Lay copper-tape paths on the inside of the card. Put the resistor and LED in series, then make a folded paper flap that closes the final gap only when pressed.
  2. Partners compare the real build with the diagram. No pair powers on before the adult check.
Class 1 · 35–45

First safe trial

  1. Teacher checks voltage, resistor/module, polarity, secure parts and shorts.
  2. Run one brief trial, disconnect power and circle the first problem to fix.
Class 2 · 0–10

Predict and reconnect

  1. Review the diagram and safety stop signs. Predict the test result.
  2. Reconnect only after the pair can explain the intended path.
Class 2 · 10–27

Test and record

  1. Press and release the button ten times, recording whether the LED turns on and off correctly each time.
  2. One partner operates while the other records; swap roles and keep conditions the same.
Class 2 · 27–37

Troubleshoot one thing

  1. Disconnect power. Check one point at a time: source, connection, component direction, control, output.
  2. Change one feature, receive another adult check and repeat the test.
Class 2 · 37–45

Explain and pack safely

  1. Demonstrate the working input-to-output action and use one recorded result in the explanation.
  2. Disconnect power. Adult collects batteries and modules; students return remaining parts.

Assessment

  • LED lights only while the button is pressed
  • Circuit works in at least 8 of 10 presses
  • Student points to and names the power source, input/control and output.
  • Build follows the teacher diagram and power-off safety routine.
  • Student records repeated results and explains one revision.

Supports & extensions

  • Provide a full-size color-coded diagram and place matching colored labels beside the real terminals.
  • Offer preconnected resistor–LED modules, larger switches or prepared structures while preserving the input–output reasoning.
  • Let students direct a partner, point to a diagram or dictate test evidence.
  • Test the smallest working circuit before attaching it to the creative project.
  • Extension after success: add one clearly labeled control or compare a second setting without changing the safe power source.

Safety & responsible use

  • Use only the exact teacher-approved covered battery pack or classroom module listed; never use wall power, lithium cells, coin/button cells, or unknown power supplies.
  • Power must be OFF before building or changing any connection. The teacher checks voltage, resistor values, polarity and possible shorts before power-on.
  • Never connect battery terminals directly. Stop immediately and disconnect power if a component becomes warm, leaks, smells unusual or behaves unpredictably.
  • Adults prepare wire ends, motor hubs and difficult holes. Cover sharp leads, secure moving parts, wear eye protection for guarded motor tests and keep liquids in a separate tray.

No-machine alternative

Build the card and switch, then use a paper arrow that a partner moves to model when current would flow.

Printable student design brief

The challenge

Make a folded greeting card with one red LED that turns on only when a cardboard button is pressed.

Success criteria

  • LED lights only while the button is pressed
  • Circuit works in at least 8 of 10 presses
  • Explain the power source → input/control → output path

Constraints

  • Use only the listed teacher-approved low-voltage parts
  • Power off before every connection change; adult approval before power-on
  • No soldering, wall power, lithium cells or coin/button batteries
  • Complete the working system and test record before decoration

Engineer’s notes

Draw the object students will make. Label the power source, input or switch, output and complete circuit path.
What should happen when the input changes? Write your prediction.
Copy the teacher-approved connection order in your own words.
Adult check: voltage / resistor or module / polarity / secure parts / no short.
Trial 1 / 2 / 3: starting condition, input, expected output, actual output.
Where did the result first differ from the prediction?
Power off. What ONE feature will you change?
Retest result: what evidence shows the change helped or did not help?

Printable beginner test record

Predict. Try. Improve.

Name ____________________ Partner ____________________

Our success rule: __________________________________________________

TrialInput / actionExpected resultFirst resultResult after one change
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Use three rows for the introductory tests or all ten for switch reliability. Write the held, released, or other-key state for each sensing test.

One thing we changed: ______________________________________________

Things we kept the same: ____________________________________________

Our evidence shows: _________________________________________________

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