Magnets

This clear introduction to magnetism includes a discussion of Earth's magnetism, electromagnetism, and a history of magnetism. It can also be used as an independent study for interested students.

If your knowledge of magnets is limited to those on the refrigerator, this video from Physics In Motion will give you a good overview of magnetic force.

Discover How Magnets Really Work in this explanation of the atomic science behind magnetic behavior.

Introduction to Electromagnetism in this Crash Course video from PBS Learning Media.

All PBS Learning Media lessons come with teacher support material that includes background information, discussion questions, links to helpful sites, and alignment with standards.

For younger students:
• Fun With Magnets
• Will It Stick?
• Magnets!

For older students:
• Earth's Magnetic Shield
• Making Predictions About Magnets
• Magnetic Field Detectors
• Illuminating the Northern Lights with accompanying guide

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory has eight hands-on Lesson Plans on electricity and magnetism.

In Exploring Magnetism, from NASA and the Center for Science Education at the University of California at Berkeley, students act as scientists as they discover magnetic fields and electromagnetism through inquiry and measurement. The unit includes complete lesson plans designed for students in 5th grade and up.

In one lesson, students use GPS to find magnets. In another, students compare permanent magnets and electromagnets.

You'll find multiple lesson plans and hands-on learning activities for grades K-8 at the Minnesota Science Teacher's Education Project's site. The emphasis is on lab investigation and data collection.

From Science World Museum, seven exploration activities introduce primary-grade children to the power of magnets. Students may enjoy the introductory video Marvelous, Mysterious Magnets.

Magnets: Polarity is an engaging lesson plan designed for grades 3-5.

Challenge students to use magnetic forces to steer a steel ball (spacecraft) around an obstacle (planet) and hit a designated target. This design problem is similar to a NASA challenge!

Elementary students will enjoy this printable activity book containing facts, games, and puzzles about magnets. Also available in Spanish.

Magnetism for Kids breaks down information into age levels and has downloadable worksheet activities that include making a compass or an electromagnet, exploring magnetic objects, observing magnetic fields, and the history of magnetism.

ScienceWiz has beginner-to-advanced content, videos, animations, games, quizzes, and links to supplement your magnetism unit.

Easy Science For Kids offers two printable quiz-and-word search activities, one for basic magnetism and one for Earth's magnetism.

The study of Magnetism lends itself well to experiments and hands-on exploration. Try some of these experiments with your students and encourage them to make predictions, investigate, and draw conclusions.

Magnetic fruit? Magnetic free fall? These suggested activities from the Exploratorium will captivate young learners.

Money in a Blender, Magnetic Slime, and Newton's Nightmare. Students will be actively engaged with these cool magnet experiments, designed to interest even reluctant learners.

Magnet Man has compiled 80 experiments for primary grades through high school, featuring magnetic fields, levitation, electromagnets, and more. The site also includes good explanations of the science behind the experiments.

Science Buddies is a great source for magnet experiments and projects. Find out the iron content of cereal in Mag-nificent Breakfast Cereal, or create your own maglev train in Stop The Train.

Magnetism or Gravity? This experiment for K-1 classrooms explores the relative powers of two basic forces.

Build an electromagnet, a speaker, or a motor. They all use magnets!