Simple Electronics for STEM Education

Illuminated
Jelly Fish

Paper Circuit

Banner01.jpg

RGB Jelly Fish Teaser

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Materials

 What you need

  1. my printed template

  2. thin translucent paper (not to sturdy)

  3. conductive tape

  4. three LEDs (RGB slow fade)

  5. button cell

  6. binder clip

  7. paper clip

  8. scissors

  9. transparent tape

  10. paper glue

Printing the Templates

For this project, I recommend printing my templates on 160g/40lb paper, but any paper should work.

Preparation - Test Your LED

an LED directly connected to a button cell

Things to remember

  • LEDs only work in one direction.

  • LEDs have a longer leg. It has to point to the plus side of the button cell.

  • You can use any LED for this project.

Step 1 - Form The Body

Steps:

  1. Grab the middle.

  2. Bring all corners to one side.

  3. Squash the paper.

  4. Inflate the jelly fish body. Make it as big as possible.

  5. Grab the lower part and wrap the body around your fist.

 

Step 2 - Form The Outer Tentacles

Steps:

  1. Cut the paper and separate the four corners.

  2. Twist the corners to form four tentacles.

  3. Move the tentacles to the outside of the jelly fish body.

  4. Model the jelly fish to your liking.

 

Step 3 - Make The Inner Tentacles

Steps:

  1. Prepare 2 or 4 long strips of transparent paper.

  2. Twist the paper strips to form long tentacles.

Step 4 - Cut And Fold The Template

Steps:

  1. Cut out the template.

  2. Fold all dashed lines (in both directions).

  3. Unfold.

Step 5 - Trace The Circuit With Conductive Tape

Remember:

  • Stick a single strip of conductive tape around the corner or use two strips that overlap at the corner.

Optional - Test Your Circuit

Steps:

  1. Check which LED leg is the longer leg.

  2. Spread the LED legs.

  3. Hold down the LED legs to the circuit (long leg to red/plus).

  4. Sandwich the button cell (see hints on template for plus/minus).

  5. The LED should light up!

Step 6 - Prepare The Battery Pocket

Steps:

  1. Glue the template together.

  2. Fold the circuit around the button cell.

  3. Wrap transparent tape around the battery at the dashed line.

  4. Widen the battery pocket using your finger.

Step 7 - Attach The LED To The Circuit

Steps:

  1. Add the LED to the circuit, one leg on each side.

  2. Insert the battery and check if the circuit is working.

  3. Attach each leg using a strip of conductive tape.

  4. Use the binder clip to hold the battery in place.