National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Drawing Field Lines
A well illustrated activity where students investigate and draw the magnetic field lines created with a bar magnet and a compass.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Measure the Earth's Field!
You can use a bar magnet and a compass to get a rough idea of the strength of Earth's magnetic field. Read this article to find out how!
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Ph Et: Interactive Simulation: Magnets and Electromagnets
Move a bar magnet or an electromagnet around to see how the magnetic fields change. Requires Java.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Seeing Magnetic Field Lines
Compasses and special metal filings help you "see" the invisible force of magnetic fields. [2:25]
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Magnetic Multipole Field Model
A simulation which shows the field of a magnetic dipole or quadrupole using compass needles indicating direction and relative field strength. Change the angular orientation of the dipole, and a movable compass shows the magnetic field...
PBS
Pbs: Magnetic Storm
The purpose, life, and hazards of the Earth's magnetic field are discussed as they relate to magnetic storms. This includes their impact on animals, auroras, and even compasses. Interactive features are also included in this...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Compass Poles: Earth's Magnetic Field
[Free Registration/Login Required] A site containing an animation of a compass and a short quiz over the topic.
Utah State Office of Education
Utah Science: Magnetized
A unit all about magnets! Explore magnetic forces, types of magnets, and more through these informative activities.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Make a Compass
Learn how to make a simple compass right at home. [1 min, 21 secs]
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.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Magnetism
In this interactive unit students will see how magnets work and how they are used in some of the most useful and common devices today.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Magnet and Compass
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.
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...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Magnetism
A slideshow and a short multiple-choice quiz on the basic concepts and vocabulary of magnetism.
![Noaa: Make Your Own Compass [Pdf] Activity](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Noaa: Make Your Own Compass [Pdf] Activity")
NOAA
Noaa: Make Your Own Compass [Pdf]
Build a compass to help you figure out which direction is north or south.
Treehut
Suzy's World: Magnetism: Why Does a Compass Point North?
This fact sheet from Suzy's World and Suzy Cato explores how magnetism works, including "why a compass points north." Content includes fun facts, an experiment, and the ability to make your own compass.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Making a Compass
A well illustrated activity where students make a simple compass. Includes facts about compasses.
PBS
Nova: Magnetic Storms: When Compasses Pointed South
Earth's magnetic poles have reversed themselves throughout its long history. Find out what scientists know about these reversals. A geologic time line shows when the reversals occurred.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Magnet
Wikipedia.com provides an excellent introductory site on magnets. Including basic information describing different types of magnets and their characteristics.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fifth Grade Science: Physical Science: Earth as a Magnet
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at the Earth as a magnet and how Earth's magnetism benefits living things.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Northward Ho!
In this activity, students will create their own simple compass, be able to explain how a compass works, understand that the Earth's magnetic field has both horizontal and vertical components, and learn more about cardinal directions.
Science Struck
Science Struck: How Does a Compass Work?
Explains what a magnetic compass is and how it works.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: News in Science: Bats Use Compass for Long Trips
From ABC News in Science, this article discusses research connected to the tracking of several big brown bats as they headed back to their homes. The experiment utilized several magnetic fields in attempts to disrupt the paths taken by...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Magnets (Lesson Plan)
A teacher lesson plan which includes six hands-on activities regarding magnets. Students will be able to experience magnetism; explain how magnets, magnetic poles and magnetic fields are related; and formulate the force law for magnets.