KS3 Electronics & micro:bit: Lesson 2 – Breadboards (Layout, Connections & Real-World Circuits)

• Fully resourced, dyslexia-friendly KS3 Electronics lesson teaching students how to understand and use breadboards, both in Tinkercad and with real physical components.

• Includes a PowerPoint, worksheet, guided activities, quizzes and screenshot tasks—ideal for non-specialists and practical classrooms.

• Students learn:

  • What a breadboard is and why engineers use them
  • How breadboard rows, columns and power rails are internally connected
  • How to correctly place components such as LEDs, resistors and wires
  • How to build and test a working circuit using a micro:bit as a power source
  • How to simulate and troubleshoot circuits using Tinkercad for FREE

• Lesson activities:

  • Starter: “Crack the Circuit” challenge to strengthen circuit-building fluency
  • Video demonstration: identifying which holes are connected under the breadboard
  • Drawing task: students annotate diagrams to show internal connections
  • Tinkercad task: copy and construct the model circuit step-by-step
  • Apply and secure learning with an interactive quiz
  • Real-world task: physically build the same circuit using a micro:bit for power

• Practical skills developed:

  • Powering circuits from a micro:bit safely
  • Correct LED polarity (anode/cathode)
  • Understanding resistor placement
  • Using breadboards to avoid soldering
  • Translating digital simulations into physical hardware builds

• Challenge extension:

  • Use an online Circuit Diagram Editor to draw a proper engineering circuit diagram of the build
  • Screenshot included for assessment
  • Encourages proper documentation and real-world engineering workflow

• Lesson objectives:

  • Know the appearance and layout of a breadboard
  • Use a breadboard effectively in Tinkercad
  • Build a working physical circuit in the real world

• Perfect for:

  • KS3 Computing, Electronics, Design Technology
  • micro:bit introduction courses
  • STEM clubs and hands-on engineering activities

A clear, practical, confidence-building lesson that bridges simulation and real electronics.