Students learn about magnetic fields using iron filings and then will apply this to an understanding of the Earth as a giant magnet.

In this activity, students observe the pulling power of magnets by making their own maze, using magnets to guide figures around turns, into dead ends, and to the finish.

In this lesson, students investigate how many paper clips different types of magnets can pick up. Students will record their observations in their science journals.

Students can work in groups from 1-5 in order to design a race car using stick magnets as the energy source. Students are using their knowledge of magnetic energy to design a race car that can be pushed or pulled through a race course seeking the fastest time. Students will design their race car out of a set group of engineering/building supplies. Math can be incorporated as well in the design process.

Students will gain an understanding that certain materials are attracted to magnets and some are not. This lesson is the first in a two-lesson series on magnets. Students should carry out many investigations in order to familiarize themselves with the pushes and pulls of magnets. By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on earth which cannot be seen. This idea can then be developed into an understanding that objects, such as the earth or electrically charged objects, can pull on other objects. It is important that students get a sense of electric and magnetic force fields (as well as gravity) and of some simple relations between magnetic and electric currents

Students experimentally measure the strength of a magnet and graph how the strength changes as the distance from the magnet increases, and as a barrier is built between the magnet and an iron object. This lesson is the second in a two-lesson series on magnets. Students should carry out many investigations in order to familiarize themselves with the pushes and pulls of magnets. By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on earth which cannot be seen. This idea can then be developed into an understanding that objects, such as the earth or electrically charged objects, can pull on other objects. It is important that students get a sense of electric and magnetic force fields (as well as gravity) and of some simple relations between magnetic and electric currents.

In this lesson, students investigate how a magnetic field is affected as it passes through different materials. By carrying out an investigation with a small number of variables, students can learn about the scientific requirements of a fair test.

In this lesson, students investigate the patterns of magnetic fields. Students can learn to recognise that there may be more than one reason for the patterns they see in their investigations. By considering the limitations of their own investigative method, students become aware of how scientists attempt to make sure that there can be only one explanation of a phenomenon.

Students learn about magnetic force. They will test the magnetism of various classroom objects. Then they will complete an inquiry-based scenario to reinforce the concepts associated with magnetic poles.

In this activity, students use a magnet to make a paper clip "walk" on a paper plate. Students investigate how many paper plates through which the magnetic field will still pass.

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 4th Grade Science. 

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 4th Grade Science.

In this slideshow, magnetism is explored. The resource illustrates the idea that magnetism is the property of attracting iron and a magnetic object's magnetic force is how strong that attraction is. Magnetic fields are the areas where the magnetic force will work. Magnets also have opposite poles, negative and positive and opposites do attract.

In this activity, students make a wire spin about a magnet using the interactions of magnetism and electric current.

In this project, students will use knowledge of electricity and electromagnetism to collaboratively design and test a model of a magnetic recycling sorter. They will evaluate the performance of their models and propose further modifications based on the output of their magnetic device measured in mT using a Vernier probe. They will also physically test their magnets on a model of a conveyor belt containing recyclable items. Students will track their data from both tests, with the ultimate goal of creating the strongest and most effective magnet with given materials. Finally, students will present their findings and proposed final design to peers and community partners involved in the recycling industry. The entire process takes about 6 weeks. The unit is a great fit for standards within energy and engineering & design.

In this lesson, students are introduced to the idea of magnetic forces. Students will predict and test various objects to see if they can be picked up by magnets. Then they will determine how iron shavings can be separated from salt when they are mixed in a container.