Leaping Frog Paper Circuit

Celebrating Leap Year in elementary school is a fun way to learn and be creative! So we bring you the Leaping Frog Paper Circuit to celebrate it this year! Our Leaping Frog paper circuit introduces students to electrical circuits and electronics basics using simple materials like paper, copper tape, LEDs, and batteries. The activity is called the “Leaping Frog” because the LEDs on the paper light up sequentially, creating an effect similar to a frog leaping. But first, let’s talk about the leap year!

What Is a Leap Year for Kids?

Imagine Earth is like a giant spaceship going around the Sun. It takes Earth about 365 days to complete one trip around the Sun. That’s why we have a year with 365 days!

But here’s the thing – it doesn’t actually take exactly 365 days. It takes a little bit longer, about 6 hours more. If we didn’t keep track of those extra hours, over time, the seasons would start shifting. Spring wouldn’t come in March anymore, it might come in April or even later! And all of that would affect our work and play schedules.

To keep things on track, we have something called a leap year. It’s like adding an extra day to catch up on those missing hours. But we don’t add an extra day every year, because those extra hours only add up to a whole day every four years approximately.

So, in a leap year, February gets one extra day. That day is February 29th, and it’s called Leap Day. It’s like a bonus day that only happens every four years! The next time you see February 29th, remember, that it’s a special day that helps keep our calendar and seasons in sync! Now, let’s build our leaping frog paper circuit!

Leaping Frog Paper Circuit Materials

• 1/4 inch Copper tape
• LED Diode Lights Assortment Kit
• Coin cell batteries (I used CR2032)
• Leaping Frog template (download below)
• Hole puncher or scissors
• Paper clip

How To Create a Leaping Frog Paper Circuit

Please print the FREE template below. Remember to print it double-sided along the long edge. The second page is deliberately inverted.

To create the conductive copper pathway, tape the copper tape onto the brown pathways.

Then, stick the LEDs onto the lilypads, making sure that the longer leg of the light (the positive or anode leg) lines up with the positive side of the copper tape pathway. The shorter leg (the negative or cathode leg) should be aligned with the negative side on the blueprint.

Make sure the LEDs are secure by using a top layer of copper tape. Ensure that the connections are secure and that the tape doesn’t touch where it shouldn’t.

Fold the paper in half and cut out holes on the lilypads on the cover side. Gently guide the LEDs into place so that they show on the cover page.

Next, place the battery into its dedicated spot inside the fold, and connect the positive side of the battery to the bottom paper.

Secure the battery with a paper clip and test your circuit. The LEDs should light up in sequence, resembling the “leaping frog” effect.

Troubleshoot the Leaping Frog Paper Circuit

Are you frustrated because your paper circuit isn’t working as expected? Don’t worry, troubleshooting a paper circuit is fairly simple. If your circuit isn’t working, here are a few tips:

The first thing to do when troubleshooting a paper circuit is to check all the connections. Check for any signs of damage or wear and tear on the copper pathway that could be causing the circuit to malfunction.

Make sure that the LEDs are securely attached to the conductive tape and that there are no breaks in the circuit.

Next, inspect each LED in your paper circuit. Make sure the positive legs (the longer leg) are facing the + pathway and the negative legs (the shorter legs) are facing the – pathway.

Finally, make sure that the coin cell battery is inserted correctly and has enough power. If that doesn’t help, try replacing the battery with a fresh one to rule out any issues with the power source.

Did you enjoy this easy STEM project? Yes? Check out our easy science projects, too!

How Do Paper Circuits Work?

Paper circuits are an innovative way to learn about electronics and circuitry by creating pathways for electricity on a piece of paper using conductive materials like copper tape.
This process involves attaching circuit components such as LEDs and batteries to these pathways to form a complete circuit. Once the circuit is complete, electricity flows through the conductive materials, lighting up the LEDs.

The Basic Components of a Circuit

Power Source – Battery

The power source is the heart of any circuit. It provides the electrical energy needed to make the circuit work. A battery is the most common power source used in circuits, it is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. A battery has two terminals – positive (+) and negative (-). When a circuit is connected to a battery, a potential difference is created between these terminals, causing electrons to flow through the circuit.

Conductive Materials – Copper Tape

Conductive materials are necessary to allow the flow of electricity within a circuit. We’ve used copper tape in our project. Copper is one of the most commonly used materials in circuits due to its high conductivity. Copper tape is a thin, flexible adhesive tape with a layer of copper on one side. It is used to create connections between different components in a circuit. By placing copper tape on various surfaces, you can easily build circuits on paper, fabric, or any other suitable material.

Output – LEDs

The output component of a circuit is where the magic happens. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are commonly used as output devices in circuits. An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs come in various colors and sizes, making them versatile for different applications. We’ve used the yellow ones in our Leaping Frog paper circuit. By connecting an LED to a battery through a circuit, you can create a simple light-up system that showcases the flow of electricity.

Conclusion

This hands-on Leaping Frog paper circuit to learning about electronics is not only educational but also provides a fun, engaging, and creative way for students of all ages to explore the concepts of circuitry and electricity. It helps to spark curiosity and interest in STEM subjects from a young age. So why not print our easy-to-follow template to make one with your students?