Hidden Magnets

As a culminating activity for our study of magnets, we played a fun "hide and seek" game in class. Teams of students worked together to "hide" a magnet inside a small box (taping it to one of its sides).  The other members of the team used magnet detectors to try and find the magnets.  Students used iron filings, compasses, and objects from their mystery bags to try and find the hidden magnets.  The students were fascinated by the magnet's effect on a compass, and they loved watching the iron filings reaction when they were brought in the magnet's field.  Here are some pictures of our scientists at work...

Detecting Magnets

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Magnet Investigations

Our first unit of study in science has focused on magnets. Below are some pictures from several different investigations during these past two weeks. We started this unit of study by giving students plenty of time to explore magnets. We talked about our previous knowledge and our observations after some exploration time. We knew that like poles repel, while opposite poles attract. We then made some paper clips "fly" using magnets and fishing line. This got us thinking about the strength of magnets. How could we measure the force between two magnets? While Challenge was out one day, we set up an experiment using doughnut magnets, balances, plastic spacers, and washers (ask your child about it!). We found out that as two magnets get further apart, the force between them decreases. The investigation we completed today involved the question, "What do magnets stick to?" We were surprised to find out that magnets do not stick to all kinds of metals. Be sure to ask your child what they learned from this experiment!

Magnet Investigations

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