Unit Plan
Cut the Knot

Cut the Knot!: Geometric Construction With the Compass Alone

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This site explains the possible uses of a compass when drawing. There are numerous exercises for using a compass with links to the solutions - click on the red checkmarks for these. The site discusses mathematicians who contributed to...
Activity
Other

Federal Aviation Administration: How to Make a Compass [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn what a compass is, how it works, and how you can create a simple one using a sewing needle, magnet, bowl of water, and a piece of paper.
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Magnet and Compass

For Students 9th - 10th
Ever wonder how a compass worked to point you to the Arctic? Explore the interactions between a compass and bar magnet, and then add the earth and find the surprising answer.
Interactive
Other

Childu: Compass:over the Edge

For Students 3rd - 8th
Do you know what a 'compass rose' is? Follow this interactive animation to learn how to use a magnetic compass properly. Easy to understand; aimed for younger students.
Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: I Can Compass Can You?

For Teachers 1st
Use a compass to identify a variety of places.
Activity
NOAA

Noaa: Make Your Own Compass [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Build a compass to help you figure out which direction is north or south.
Activity
Online Learning Haven

Finding Your Way: How to Read a Compass

For Students 3rd - 5th
A great explanation on what a compass is and how to read one. After the explanation, a step-by-step guide to drawing your own compass is given.
Activity
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Making a Compass

For Students 3rd - 5th
A well illustrated activity where students make a simple compass. Includes facts about compasses.
Unit Plan
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Early Chinese Compass 400 Bc

For Students 9th - 10th
The first compass was used not to point people in the right direction literally, but figuratively.
PPT
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Make a Compass

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how to make a simple compass right at home. [1 min, 21 secs]
Website
Other

Map Zone: Compasses and Directions

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Sharpen map skills by exploring these map pages. Learn about the compass rose, different norths, and how to use a compass.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Electric and Magnetic Forces and the Modern Day Compass

For Teachers 5th Standards
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about how a compass works using electromagnetic force. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Oersted's Compass 1820

For Students 9th - 10th
Compasses had been steering people in the right direction for many centuries when, in the year 1820, one particular compass made a very different sort of revelation to an unsuspecting Danish science professor.
Website
Other

National Maritime Museum: Sea and Ships: The Magnetic Compass

For Students 9th - 10th
Inquiry into the origins of the magnetic compass and how it came to and was used in Europe.
Unit Plan
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Compasses in Magnetic Fields

For Students 9th - 10th
Experiment with the compass in this tutorial to see how it responds to magnetic fields.
Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Make Your Own Compass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create their own magnetic compass.
Activity
Environmental Education for Kids

Eek!: Outdoor Safety: Reading a Compass and Orienteering

For Students 3rd - 5th
Explains how to use a compass to orient yourself outdoors.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Asu: Compass for Courage

For Students 3rd - 8th
COMPASS uses collaborative game-based learning to teach youth research-backed strategies to manage worries, solve problems, build relationships, and face stressful situations with confidence. This six-lesson plan has shown to improve...
Handout
Other

Learn Orienteering: How to Use a Compass

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is an easy-to-follow guide on how to use a compass.
Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Traditional Compass Construction: Angle Bisector Using Cabri

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Use Cabri Jr. and the Compass command to complete the actual construction - pencil, paper, and compass process.
Unit Plan
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Finding Your Way With Map and Compass

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This resource has a topographic map that tells you where things are and how to get to them. Use this site to help you use a map and compass to determine your location.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Compass Skills Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 6th - 8th
During this lesson students take a reading with a compass and use the compass to reach multiple checkpoints. Students also demonstrate their knowledge by locating specific coordinates that spell out a phrase.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Measurement of Compass Orientations of Rock Fractures

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this field activity, learners measure rock fractures with a geologic compass and formulate a hypothesis to explain the origin of the fractures.
Interactive
Mangahigh

Mangahigh: Shape: Use Compass Directions

For Students 7th - 9th Standards
Test your knowledge of navigating with a compass.

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