Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Traditional Copy an Angle: Compass Construction Using Cabri
Use Cabri Jr to copy an angle. The activity is followed by a student-to-student interview/reflection sheet intended to require students to think, talk, and write about why the construction worked. The reflection sheet could be adapted...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Make Your Own Compass
Students create their own magnetic compass.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Circles of Magnetism
Create a magnetic field that is stronger than Earth so a compass needle will orient itself to the new field in this activity.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Magnetic Fields
Students visualize the magnetic field of a strong permanent magnet using a compass. The lesson begins with an analogy to the effect of the Earth's magnetic field on a compass. Students see the connection that the compass simply responds...
Other
Bc Hydro: Power Smart for Schools: Electromagnetism
This set of activities has students using everyday items (batteries, magnets, compasses, iron and paper clips) to reveal the connection between electricity and magnetism. Ideally, students will already have experience building simple...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: About Magnets (Lesson Plan)
This site provides a lesson plan which includes a hands-on activity about magnetism and magnetic fields. Parts of the plan would be easily adaptable as a student project (for any grade level).