Students explain why compass angles need to be corrected for regional magnetic variation. They observe the difference between magnetic and true north. Each student measures the angle of variation for a town in a different state.

Students identify and use the starts to tell time just as people had for thousands of years. They identify the stars that appear to rise in the east and set in the west, and that those stars near the North Pole appear to go in circles...

Learners encounter how magnetic forces affect the navigation ability of sea turtle hatchings. Research is done to find out where the true magnetic North Pole lies. Exploration is discussed on how many things here on earth are affected by...

Students experience the creativity, anticipation and peer review of obtaining a grant for scientific research at the poles. They work in cooperative groups to assess the dynamics of polar regions. Each student proposes an original...

Students build an instrument. In this magnetism instructional activity, students learn about the north and south poles of magnets and build a magnetometer that detects the direction of a magnetic field.

Fourth graders explore magnets as fundamental parts of generators and how they are used to produce current electricity. They distinguish between the north and south pole of magnets and the difference between repel and attract. Students...

Students participate in activities in which they find the Big Dipper and locate the North Star in the night sky, examine the relationship between the angle to Polaris and latitude, and determine latitude by using an astrolabe.

This set of seven activities attracts physical science stars to concepts concerning magnetism. Pupils play with a lodestone, magnets, needles, and iron filings to understand magnetic forces, fields, and applications. If you are new to...

Young scholars demonstrate how to take bearings using a compass. In pairs, they select objects in the classroom then write down its first initial and bearing. They exchange papers and try to disciver their partner's object.

Students explore the possible effects of global warming. In this geography/global warming lesson, students identify regions using an atlas and complete a global warming worksheet. Students perform an experiment in which they simulate...

Students maintain a field journal as they follow penguin parents raising their chicks during the breeding season. They formulate testable questions. Students reflect on animal behavior in the field related to survival and chick rearing.

Fourth graders investigate the poles of a magnet.  For this magnet lesson, 4th graders explore what a magnet attracts and what it repels. Students view the N and S on magnets. students recognize that like poles repel and opposite...

Fifth graders explore the components of a compass and how it is utilized to determine geographical directions. The magnetic field of Earth and the magnet used to magnetize the needle used in the experiment are compared and contrasted in...

Students demonstrate the process of science by posing questions and investigating phenomena through language, methods and instruments of science as they experiment at four teacher-created stations to explain the fundamentals of magnetism.

Second graders conduct a variety of inquiry based learning activities. In this magnetism lesson, 2nd graders explore magnets with a partner, they learn the terms attract and repel, examine the poles of a magnet, and complete other...

Students analyze Earth science by answering environmental study questions. In this Earth Day lesson, students read the book The Lorax and identify the themes within it. Students define several recycling vocabulary terms and create an...

Students scan headlines on the Journey North News Updates each day to track the changes that spring brings as it comes to different areas of the United States.

Students explore physics. In this magnetism lesson, students attempt to make a magnet out of a iron rod. They observe the teacher complete the procedure first and then try it themselves.

What causes Earth's seasons? Find out through a series of anticipatory questions, an easy yet powerful activity representing the sun-Earth system, a diagram to label, and follow-up questions. Dispel the misconceptions about Earth being...

Learners discover magnetic forces. In this magnetic experiment lesson, students explore magnetism. Learners conduct experiments and discover magnetic poles and magnetic strength.

Sixth graders conduct a controlled investigation to determine the length of the sun's shadow on a fixed object (i.e., flagpole, telephone pole, etc.) over a three-day period (one day in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the...

Young scholars explore how the earth is a magnet and that magnets have two "poles".  In this magnetic lesson students complete an activity by designing their own compass. 

Students determine their latitude using a protracdtor and/or cross-staff to find the altitude of Polaris.

Students use ice cubes to demonstrate how the polar ice caps are melting and how it effects the polar bears. In this polar bear lesson plan, the teacher explains how polar bears live on the north pole and how they are having trouble due...