Magnet Mania

A Guided Inquiry Lesson

This lesson plan may be used to address the academic standards listed below. These National Science Education Standards are drawn from Content Knowledge for Light, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism. The science subject matter focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all students to know, understand, and use.

Subject: Science; Grades 3-4

Purpose: The activity is designed to show students different ways a magnet can be used.

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, students will accomplish the following with 85% mastery:

  1. Hypothesize by determining if a magnet works through different materials, such as foam, glass, plastic, and paper containing water.
  2. Observe the ability to use a magnet to guide a paperclip, which becomes a temporary magnet that is separated by paper.
  3. Create a compass, composed of a magnetized needle and foam, to identify the North Pole.
  4. Determine, by observing, how two needle magnets react together when placed on small pieces of paper in a container of water.
  5. Use iron fillings to create a face by using the magnet wand to move the iron fillings to fill in the designated area.

Materials: Per Station

Station 1:
Water Works
  • Paper cup
  • Plastic cup
  • Foam cup
  • Glass cup
  • Paper clips
  • Water
  • Data collection sheet
/ Station 2:
Maze
  • Maze board
  • Paper clip
  • Magnet wand
  • Data collection sheet
/ Station 3:
Compass
  • Tub container
  • Water
  • Foam
  • Magnetized needle
  • Data collection sheet
/ Station 4:
Pushing and Pulling
  • Pieces of paper
  • Magnetized needle
  • Tub container
  • Water
  • Data collection sheet
/ Station 5:
Iron Face
  • Iron fillings
  • Face board
  • Magnet wand
  • Data collection sheet

Behavior Expectations: Today we will be performing an experiment. Some of the materials we are going to use are messy. I expect you to be careful and abide by the safety rules when using the materials. I expect the proper clean-up after the experiment.

Motivation: Today we are going to be scientists and conduct experiments using magnets. Each group will be responsible for each investigation station and recording their findings.

Data Collection:

  1. Divide the class into groups of four.
  2. Each group will assign a materials manager, data collector, task reporter, and principle investigator.
  3. Teacher will explain objectives and materials.
  4. Materials manager will obtain materials.
  5. Allow students time to investigate each station.
  6. Students will use their data sheets to gather and record their investigations.
  7. Reporter from each group will report their findings to the class.

Debriefing and Checking for Understanding:

Data Processing:

  1. Was your magnet able to attract the paperclip through the different cups containing water?
  2. Were you able to guide a paper clip through the maze?
  3. Were you able to identify the North Pole?
  4. How do the magnet needles react together when placed in a container of water? Did your iron fillings stay in their designated places?
  5. Groups will discuss their findings and compare their results.

Appraisal: Group participation, students’ understanding of the investigations, and completion of data collection worksheets with 85% mastery.

References:

NSTA Science Store

Additional Readings:

What Makes a Magnet?

by Franklyn M. Branley

This book describes how magnets work and includes a couple of experiments for making a magnet and a compass.

Mr. Fixit’s Magnet Machine

by Richard Scarry, Gail Herman

This book is about a busy town’s repairman who sets out on an adventure sure to attract the attention of every child’s imagination.

Martha’s Magnets

by Wendy

Martha collects keys, paper clips, gum wrappers, and magnets. When she moves to a new neighborhood, she uses her magnet collection to make friends. This story is a great way to introduce a unit on magnetism to older students.

Magnetic Magic

by Paul Doherty, John Cassidy

This book shows students how to do magic with magnets. The book is easy to understand with graphics that will attract the attention of every student.

Electricity and Magnetism

by Margaret Whalley, Kate Graham

This book helps to teach the concepts of electricity and magnetism more clearly.

Science with Magnets

by Helen Edom

This book reveals the properties of basic scientific principles relating to magnetism. This book is ideal for learning through personal experience and observation.

Janice VanCleave’s Magnets: Mind-bogglingExperiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair

Projects

by Janice VanCleave

This book shows great hands-on science experiments for students to do. This book also has 20 simple experiments students can do using everyday items.

Janice VanCleave’s Electricity: Mind-bogglingExperiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair

Projects

By Janice VanCleave

Twenty simple and fun experiments allow readers to learn how magnets can produce electricity; plus numerous suggestions for developing science fair projects.

Electricity (Make It Work!)

by Wendy Baker, Andrew Haslam

This book is a great book for finding ideas on extension activities about electricity and magnets.

What Magnets Can Do

by Allan Fowler

Making a Magnet

Provided by Dr. Sandra Davis

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Names of group members:

Station #1

Water Works

Directions: Is the force of a magnet strong enough to pull the paper clip through water that is contained in the cups provided? Notice that all of these cups are made of different materials. This experiment will help you find out how magnetism works and how it can pass through other materials. As a group, hypothesize and decide whether the force of magnetism is strong enough to move the paper cup. Next, using each type of cup containing water, run the magnet up the side and see if you can drag the paper clip to the top. Record your results.

Hypothesize Results

Paper cup / YES / NO / YES / NO
Plastic cup / YES / NO / YES / NO
Foam cup / YES / NO / YES / NO
Glass / YES / NO / YES / NO

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Names of group members:

Station #2

Maze

Directions: Observe the power of a magnet. Use the bar magnet to guide the paper clip through the maze. One group member will hold the maze board up. Each group member will hold the magnet under the plate and guide the paper clip through the maze. The goal is to help the North Pole meet the South Pole.

Question:

Did your group successfully use the magnet to move the paper clip even though it was separated by cardboard?

YES NO

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Names of group members:

Station #3

Compass

Directions: First you will magnetize a needle by stroking the needle 30 times along the magnet. Remember to stroke the needle in the same direction with each stroke. Next, stick a piece of foam on each end of the needle. Then, place the needle in the middle of a bowl containing water. A single magnet can float freely and acts like a compass. Try turning the needle around. Observe and record what happens.

Does the same end point to the same direction?

YESNO

Put a dot on that end. You have identified the North Pole.

Your compass points north because the Earth is a giant magnet. It attracts other magnets toward its north pole. The north-seeking pole of your compass, points toward the north pole of the Earth. No matter how you turn your compass, it will point north. You have made a compass!

Could your group successfully identify the North Pole of the compass?

YES NO

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Names of group members:

Station #4

Pushing and Pulling

Directions: This experiment will demonstrate how magnets react together. First magnetize the needles. Remember: Hold the eye and magnetize the pointed end, rubbing it on the magnet 30 times in the same direction. Place your two needles on small, separate pieces of paper and place them into the bowl of water. Turn the needles with the eyes facing each other. Observe the reaction. Turn one needle around with one point facing the eye. Observe the reaction. Record your results.

How did the needles react together with the eyes facing each other?

How did the needles react together with one eye facing one point?

What causes magnets to push apart?

What causes magnets to pull together?

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Names of group members:

Station #5

Iron Face

Directions: Each student will use a magnet wand and iron filings to fill in the designated areas, trying to create a face. Place the wand under the board and try to move the filings. Noticewhetherthe iron filings stay in place. Observe and record your results. Have Fun!

Were you able to create a face?

What did the iron filings do? Did they stay in place or did they move?

MAGNET MANIA!

MAGNETS

* Rate 1 to 3; one being the lowest rating and three being the highest rating; total of 12 points.

1 / 2 / 3
1. Student Comprehension
2. Works cooperatively in a group setting
3. Follows directions
4. Completes Data Collection Sheet