Electricity is an abstract phenomenon that students interact with every day. Interestingly enough, many eighth-grade students do not fully understand the requirements for a complete circuit. In an effort to "short-circuit" misunderstandings, the circuits unit described here was developed in a 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate) of inquiry to help students build on their prior ideas with new experiences and understanding. The primary goal for this lesson is to address the misconception that no matter where the battery and bulb are connected, a complete circuit is made (Stepans 1996).