Add the Resistor

1. Insert one end of the resistor into any hole in the red row of the breadboard.
2. Insert the other end of the resistor into any hole in the blue row of the breadboard.
3. Use the blue marker to mark this on your schematic as shown in the video.

Warning: Without the resistor, the LED could break when plugged in.

STEM Connections
You are adding a resistor to our circuit because the LEDs can be damaged if too much electric current flows through them. How much a resistor reduces the flow of electric current is known as the resistance and is measured in a unit called Ohms. The resistance of a resistor is indicated in a code using colored lines on the resistor.

Resistor legs are bent

1. It’s ok for the legs of the resistor to be bent or reshaped.
2. Reshape as necessary, replace if it breaks (it’s reasonable for them to break after moving the legs around a bunch)

Resistor doesn’t fit into the breadboard

1. Try a different hole of the same row 

1. Sometimes I like to point out on the schematic and ask “what component is the positive side of the power source is touching?”
2. Hopefully they answer: the resistor
3. Then I ask, “Where in the breadboard do you think one side of the resistor should go in?”
4. Hopefully they answer: the red row
5. I sometimes write out “ resistor: red row – blue row”
6. Using the blue marker to color the connection from the resistor to the LED is another opportunity to share with students that where components belong on the breadboard 

Thinkabit Companion Notebook: have students fill in the blank on page 4 after “resistor” with “red row to blue row”.