Magnetism is all around us. It is one of the greatest scientific and natural phenomenons in the world and an important part of science and other learning curriculum. However, it can get a bit complex, so how do we teach students about magnetism without confusing or boring them? Here are a few suggestions and lessons to try to engage and introduce students to the magical world of magnets. First, start with the basics and give a simple demonstration of how magnets work. Before diving into a full experiment, it is important to teach students about some of the main principles of magnets such as: north and south poles; attraction and repulsion; and magnet strength. Once they have a reasonable grasp on the principles, a good science experiment to start with is an: Iron filings experiment: Interactively show how and what metals magnets attract while also teaching students about Earth’s magnetic field. For this experiment, all you need is some neodymium magnets and iron filings. Feel free to check out our article for more guidance. Now, that you’ve covered the basics, you can move on to more complex and practical magnet lessons like:

Magnets and Electricity

You can “get two for one” with this neat lesson idea on magnetism and electricity. The relationship between these two forces goes back many years. In fact, magnetic induction is measured in units called Tesla, for the famous scientist and pioneer of electricity, Nikola Tesla. The first simple motor design used a magnet, so teach students how to make a homopolar motor with this experiment.

Magnetic Levitation

Now that students know a little bit more about magnets and their functional capabilities, this project is a creative way to teach how they are applied in the real-world. For instance, the fast-moving Maglev train operates on magnetic levitation technology. Using a superconductor, liquid nitrogen and magnets, you can demonstrate how magnetism is used in real-world energy applications with this experiment.

How Temperature Affects Magnets

When using magnets in real-world applications, scientists and engineers must account for certain conditions. One of those conditions is temperature, because depending on what degree it is, it can affect magnetism. You can use this as a lesson idea as well and compare how cold and hot temperatures affect magnets. If you want to take the lessons even further, you can invite students to use magnets to create their own innovations as a science project. However, it is important to use caution and follow safety rules when handling magnets and if you have questions about what magnets to use in your lessons, feel free to contact us.