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Teach Engineering

Drawing Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Class members use a compass and several points to map out the magnetic field of a magnet. Pairs trace the magnetic field lines produced by a permanent magnet by positioning the compass in numerous spots around the magnet to view the...
Activity
Exploratorium

Magnetic Pendulums

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Passing a copper wire coil through a magnetic field influences another coil to also sway. It is with this demonstration that you can teach your physical science fans about electromagnetism. Note that the assembly requires about an hour,...
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Exploratorium

Magnetic Shielding

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Elementary magnetologists investigate magnetic shields using a variety of materials in a "shielding sandwich." While the activity isn't novel, it is engaging, and this particular resource includes a brief explanation of the phenomena...
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Teach Engineering

Visualizing Magnetic Field Lines

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Magnetic fields might not be a field of dreams but they are useful. Class members observe the reactions of magnetic fields using a compass, iron filings in a paper container, and iron filings suspended in mineral oil. 
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It's About Time

The Electricity and Magnetism Connection

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Magnets don't grow in fields, but magnetic fields are important to understand. The lesson covers the effect electricity has on magnetic fields. Scholars use a compass, magnets, and electrical wire to test magnetic fields and energy...
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Teach Engineering

Magnetic Fluids

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Teams work as material engineers to create ferrofluids, whose shape is influenced by magnetic fields. The activity, which is the fourth in the six-part series, has the teams create magnetic ink and use it to write, testing it with a...
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Teach Engineering

Magnetic or Not?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
 The class must determine the magnetic properties of different materials, including aluminum and steel by sorting through materials using a magnet. Groups make a prediction on whether a material is magnetic and then perform...
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Teach Engineering

Circuits and Magnetic Fields

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Have your class use compasses to try to find the magnetic field around an electric current. Groups use the same technique to visualize magnetic fields as they did in the second activity in the series, but this time, the field is...
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Exploratorium

Motor Effect

For Teachers 6th - 12th
The magnetic wire. Class members create a magnetic field by running electricity through a wire. The video included in the resource provides information on how this effect is used to make electrical motors.
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Exploratorium

Magnetic Suction

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Drive an electric current through a coil of wire and show how it can pull a nail right into its core. This vivid demonstration exhibits the electromagnetic field. Consider also showing your class a few of the devices that make use of...
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International Technology Education Association

Tidy Up Those Sloppy Force Fields!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
It is just magnetic. This resource presents the concept of Earth's and another planet's magnetic field and how spacecrafts detect them. Learners study a problem using magnetometers and participate in three experiments to come up with a...
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Teach Engineering

Force on a Current Carrying Wire

For Teachers 10th - 12th
What do electrical currents have to do with an MRI? Using a simple wire setup and a magnet, class members explore forces used in an MRI by investigating the magnetic force acting on a wire carrying a current. 
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Teach Engineering

Slinkies as Solenoids

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
What does an MRI machine have to do with a slinky? This activity challenges learners to run a current through a slinky and use a magnetic field sensor to measure the magnetic field. Groups then change the length of the slinky to see...
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NOAA

Make Your Own Compass

For Students 3rd - 5th
Scholars build a compass using a needle, cork, magnet, and a water-filled cup in order to locate the magnetic north and south.
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Curated OER

Magnetic Puzzle Pieces

For Teachers Pre-K
Students create magnetic puzzles. In this language lesson, students use old puzzle pieces to create a useful learning tool. Students paint the puzzle pieces in one category such as animals or vehicles.
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Curated OER

Alphabet Magnets

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students create their own alphabet magnets. in this alphabet lesson, students use old business card magnets and cover them with white mailing labels. They cut the magnets and place alphabet stickers on them. 
Activity
DiscoverE

Levitating Train

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Levitation isn't just for magicians. Pupils design and build a small portion of track for a maglev train using magnets and Lego bricks. The goal is to get the trains to levitate—without using magic!
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Teach Engineering

Induced EMF in a Coil Wire

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Small groups investigate the interaction between a coil of wire and a magnet to create an electromagnetic field and observe the voltage they create. Through further interactions, they realize a conductor can be charged from the...
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Teach Engineering

Building an Electromagnet

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Your pupils can build their own electromagnet — awesome! The culminating activity in an eight-part series challenges groups to design and build their own electromagnet. The goal of the activity is to build a magnet capable of picking up...
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SeaWorld

Design a Fish

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Craft some neat refrigerator magnets while studying ocean animals with a lesson about the anatomy of a fish. After kids learn about the different parts and shapes of fish, they use modeling compound to design their own fish.
Activity
Exploratorium

Circles of Magnetism IV

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Hang a strip of foil on a stand and form a loop out of it. Then attach the clips of a battery-operated circuit to the loop to see its sides repel each other. This simple demonstration is applicable and easy to add to your lecture on...
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Curated OER

Fishing Pole

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create a fishing pole for magnets. In this magnet lesson, students create a fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Students then "fish" and try to find things that are magnetic.
Activity
Exploratorium

Diamagnetism

For Teachers 8th - 10th
If you are attracted to activities dealing with diamagnetism, here is a rare find that you will appreciate. With a neodymium magnet and a few common materials, move a pair of juicy grapes without touching them. Though the fruit is...
Activity
American Museum of Natural History

Create a Compass

For Students 6th - 12th
Historically, humans have used many methods of finding due north. Using a hands-on activity, learners create their own compasses. They then test their compasses in their neighborhood or to assist with stargazing.

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