Alex
The Great Zap Test!
Alex has built an amazing Zap Tester, but he needs your help.
Will a 50c coin carry electricity? What about a paper clip, graphite pencil, aluminium foil, wooden paddle pop stick, or plastic peg?
Build your own electrical tester, make your predictions, and discover which everyday materials are conductors and which are insulators.
Ages
7-12 yrs
Duration
min
15
Difficulty
Easy
Stage
Stage 1-3
Cite this resource
Created by Darin Carr (BSc, DipEd)
NESA Accredited Teacher · Chemistry & Physics Specialist · 30+ years in-class teaching
Resource Version: 1.0
First Published:
Last Updated:
13 July 2026
1 Aug 2026
MISSION VERIFIED
Classroom tested. Teacher designed. Safe at home.
Designed by Darin Carr (BScDip Ed)
Practising NESA accredited
Australian Science Teacher
★ 30+ years of classroom experience
MISSION PROGRESS
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Before you investigate... watch the mystery
MISSION HOOK
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Mission Equipment
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
Conductive dough (see recipe)
Battery pack
5 mm LED (GlowBird)
50c coin
Paper clip
Aluminium foil
Graphite pencil
Plastic peg
Wooden paddle pop stick
Small toy car (optional)
Recording sheet
Let’s Investigate
Follow the missions steps below to solve the mystery.
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which of these do you think will let electricity flow?
🪙 Coin
📎 Paper clip
🌳 Wood
🧺 Plastic
✏️ Pencil
🥫 Aluminium foil
1
Meet the Mystery
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which of these do you think will let electricity flow?
🪙 Coin
📎 Paper clip
🌳 Wood
🧺 Plastic
✏️ Pencil
🥫 Aluminium foil
1
Meet the Mystery
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which of these do you think will let electricity flow?
🪙 Coin
📎 Paper clip
🌳 Wood
🧺 Plastic
✏️ Pencil
🥫 Aluminium foil
1
Big Title
Gather your materials and get
ready for an amazing mission!
PREDICT
OBSERVE
EVIDENCE
ASK
SAFETY
TIP
PREDICT
Which of these do you think will let electricity flow?
🪙 Coin
📎 Paper clip
🌳 Wood
🧺 Plastic
✏️ Pencil
🥫 Aluminium foil
The Crazy Scientist LAB Learning System™
Every experiment follows The Crazy Scientist Lab Learning System™ — a simple way to help kids think like real scientists.
We
-
LINK to what they already know,
-
ACTIVATE curiosity through hands-on discovery
-
BUILD understanding that actually sticks.
Have you ever wondered why some things can carry electricity while others can't?
Think about the charger for your tablet or phone. Inside the cable are metal wires that carry electricity, but they're covered in plastic so they're safe to touch.
Today you'll build your own Zap Tester and discover which everyday objects let electricity flow.
Time to investigate!
Your Zap Tester is ready.
Before testing each object:
Predict what will happen.
Test it.
Observe carefully.
Record your evidence.
Look for patterns.
Can you figure out what all the conductors have in common?
Some materials let electricity move easily.
Others stop electricity almost completely.
Scientists use this knowledge every day when designing:
Electrical wires
Power tools
Household appliances
Computers
Electric cars
Every safe electrical invention begins with one simple question...
"Can electricity travel through this material?"
"Want the full teacher guide? The Crazy Scientist Lab includes classroom delivery tips, how to manage the WOW moment, differentiation for Stage 2 & 3, — ready to teach tomorrow."
Think Like a Scientist
Scientists don't just do ONE experiment; they change one part of the experiment (independent variable) and then see how it affects another part of the experiment
(dependent variable)
Change ONE variable and test again.
Do all conductors carry electricity equally well?
Test different conductors. Which one makes your GlowBird shine the brightest?
Dr Puddledrip’s Science Tip
Read the Science
Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.
Scientist's Challenge
Designed for HPGE, gifted learners and children who enjoy an extra challenge.
Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.
The Next Question...
You've solved today's mystery. Now discover where curiosity can take you next.
Teachers & Homeschoolers: Print-ready HD versions of this Science Behind It poster and companion G&T Challenge Card are available inside The Crazy Scientist LAB.
Vocabulary
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Keep Exploring This Mystery
One experiment leads to even more amazing discoveries inside the Learning Universe.
Curiosity Files
BIG Questions & Discovery
Illustrated Facts
Explore • Discover
Road Trip Science
Discover science everywhere
The Teacher's Cauldron
Think. Experiment. Inspire
Books
Read • Explore
Videos
Watch & Learn
LAB Resources
Premium learning resources
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Ready for Your Next Discovery?
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TOMORROW?
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