Curated OER
Magnet Circus
Students explore the properties of magnets by designing a device that can move as far as possible using only magnets to move it, and design a machine that will stay in motion for the greatest period of time.
PHET
Planetary Magnetism
What do magnetic fields look like? The best way to learn about magnetic fields is to try identifying them for yourself. Scholars will understand the importance of magnetic fields after completing this experiment. The extension activities...
Messenger Education
Give Me a Boost—How Gravity Assists Aid Space Exploration
The propellant needed for space explorations runs in the thousands, while paying to get the craft into orbit costs millions! In the second installment of three, two activities explore laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Using...
Curated OER
Magnetic Pick-ups
Learners investigate the push and pull of magnets. In this magnetics lesson, students are introduced to the idea that there are forces that happen on earth which cannot be seen, such as electrically charged objects, magnetic force...
Curated OER
Exploring Magnetic Fields
Middle schoolers explore the concept that magnets attract and repel items and exert a magnetic field that can vary in strength. They see evidence of the magnetic field of a small magnet. They see that there are forces on earth which...
Curated OER
The Science of Magnets
Students are introduced to the concept of magnetism and investigate the properties of magnets. In this magnetism instructional activity, students identify a magnet then examine why certain things are attracted to magnets and some things...
Curated OER
Fish and Clips
Youngsters test magnetic strength by measuring the mass of paper clips that they "hook" with a magnet. Your first and second graders should love the hands-on activities associated with this plan. The reproducible materials are quite good...
Curated OER
Gravity: A Relatively Heavy Subject
Students examine planetary movement and its relation to the tide.In this gravity lesson students describe how and why the high and low tides change every day.
Curated OER
Magnets 2: How Strong is Your Magnet?
Students work together to test the strengths of various types of magnets. After testing, they create a graph showing how the strength changes as the distance from the magnet increases. They discuss how forces can act from various...
Curated OER
Magnets 1: Magnetic Pick-ups
Students are introduced to the power of magnets. In groups, they look at different objects and make predictions on whether they believe they are magnetic or not. They test their predictions and share their results with the class.
Curated OER
Exploring Magnetic Fields
Students develop the concept that magnets attract and repel items and exert a magnetic field that can vary in strength.
Curated OER
Let's Think About... Magnets and Gravity
Students watch an episode of the PBS show "Jay Jay the Jet Plane," and explore magnets and gravity. They conduct various experiments involving magnets and sand, bean bags, and a fishing pole with magnets.
Curated OER
Naturally Magnetic Elements
Students explore naturally magnetic elements. In this magnets activity, students examine the periodic table of elements. Students discover the parts of an atom and determine which three elements are magnetic.
PBS
Invisible Force
Investigate invisible forces. Young engineers design a setup that changes the direction of a steel ball using a magnetic force. The purpose of the setup is to model the gravitational pull of spacecraft by planetary bodies.
Curated OER
Magnetic Experiment
Third graders experiment with magnets. In this magnet experiment instructional activity, 3rd graders explore magnetic attraction and repulsion. Students rotate through four stations and investigate the properties of magnets.
Curated OER
Magnets
Young scholars explore the concept of magnetism. In this magnetism lesson, students use bar magnets to conduct experiments regarding magnetism. Young scholars also use a magnetic compasses to examine magnetic poles.
Curated OER
Fractions, Decimals, and Gravity
Students discuss how weight is directly related to gravitational force on a planet. Students then choose Space Traveler as companion and compute how much their guide weighs on various planets, based on each planet's relative surface...
Curated OER
Magnetic Pick-ups
Young scholars gain an understanding that certain materials are attracted to magnets and some are not.
Curated OER
How Strong is Your Magnet?
Students measure the strength of a magnet and graph how the strength changes as the distance from the magnet increases.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Built Environment (6) Lab
Sixth graders look at toys in space. In this gravity lesson, 6th graders make predictions about what different toys will do with zero gravity. They watch a space video and see what happens to these toys in space.
Curated OER
Friction Flyers
Students explore the principles of magnetism and friction. They complete an interactive puzzle on the Gizmos and Gadgets computer software, construct a vehicle, build and modify ramps and vehicles to produce various outcomes, and...
PBS
Inspector Detector
How do spacecraft detect magnetic fields? The fourth installment of a five-part unit has learners develop a device with magnets that allows for the detection of magnetic fields. They use a map of an imaginary planet to try out their...
Curated OER
Magnet Trackstar
Students explore websites created by other young people on the topic of magnets. These sites are in the form of a TrackStar and are accompanied by a worksheet to guide them in their information gathering.