STEM Education Series
Motorized Fan
Build a fan that runs on a switch you make yourself! Mount a motor and fan blades on a craft stick, then create a working switch from a paper clip and two brads. Swivel the clip to close the circuit, and the fan spins to life. With every part of the circuit in plain view, it is an easy, hands-on way to see how electricity turns into motion and how everyday switches work.
Motorized Fan
The Big Idea
Electricity only flows through a closed circuit.
- Ages
- 8+Adult supervision required.
- Circuitry
- Engineering
- Problem Solving
- Observation
Safety
- Contains small parts. Not suitable for children under 3.
- Keep fingers and hair clear of spinning fan blades.
- Adult supervision required.
What’s in the Kit
- All materials to build one Motorized Fan
- Full color, step-by-step instructions
Real-world connection
How Does a Light Switch Work?
Electricity travels in a loop called a circuit, and it only flows when that loop is closed. Light switches and many buttons work by opening and closing a gap in that loop. Metal conductors, like the paper clip in this kit, let electricity pass through, while insulators, like the craft stick, block it. Bridge the gap with the paper clip, and electrical energy reaches the motor and turns into motion, the same energy conversion that powers fans and other motorized devices.
For classrooms
The Motorized Fan is a great fit for classrooms, after-school programs, and camps. Each kit builds one fan and arrives individually packaged with all materials and instructions included.
Purchasing for your school or program? Request a quote.