My kids absolutely LOVE this simple magnet experiment. I use it as a fun way to conclude my unit on force and magnets. You can find the recording sheet and instructions for the experiment here:
You will probably already have all the supplies that you need in your classroom.
Materials Needed:
·One
pencil per group
·String
or yarn
·Small
magnets (Circle, ball, bar)
·Large
and small paper clips (colored ones are more fun)
·One
paper lunch bag per group
Teacher Prep
1.Construct
“fishing poles” by attaching a magnet tied to a string to a pencil. The pencil
serves as the pole. The string or yarn is the fishing line. The magnet is the
hook.
2.Put
an assortment of large and small paper clips into each paper bag (at least 20
large and 20 small in each).
Instructions for students
1.Without
looking in the bag, drop the fishing line. Carefully pull up the line to see
what you “Caught.”
2.Record
your results and put your “Fish” back into the bag.
3.Pass
the bag to the next person.
4.Continue
until your charts are full. Compare results with your group members to see who
is the better “Fisherman.”
