Introduced is a magnetic compass with no moving parts. Presented are the principles of the compass and the method to make the compass. Shows a lodestone compass which is the most primitive compass form. (YP)

Why does a magnet stick to the fridge but not to the wooden cabinets? This question will be answered as viewers discover what makes something "magnetic." Young students learn about positive and negative forces, the North and South Poles, and the basic concepts of why opposites attract. Children find out more about what magnets are used…

Most people know what magnets do. Sometimes they stick together, sometimes they push apart and sometimes they don't do anything at all. But why do magnets act the way they do? Students will learn about the role of atoms in magnetism and why certain substances are magnetic while others are not. They will also discover some of the many ways…

Describes a simple, inexpensive Faraday balance for studying the effect of a strong magnetic field on selected reaction rates. Aschematic diagram detailing the essential features is included. (BT)

Examined the process by which 79 nursery school pupils age 4 and 5 years discovered the properties of magnetism while playing with magnets and various metallic and nonmetallic objects. Found that the older children were more likely to discover magnetism on their own, while the younger children required the encouragement of their teacher to uncover…

Reports on part of a larger study of how 11- and 12-year-old students construct knowledge of electricity and magnetism by drawing on aspects of their experiences during the course of a school visit to an interactive science museum and subsequent classroom activities linked to the science museum exhibits. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/YDS)

This pack of resource materials is designed for students in Scotland, ages 5-7, to be done with their parents at home or with another student in school. Forty-five activity sheets cover 7 different areas of science: Air, Magnets, Moving Things, Light, Heat, Myself and Water. The pack also includes a leaflet for parent or peer tutors, lists of…

This laboratory exercise for junior or senior high school students forms a basis for expansion of concepts, offers opportunities for analytical thinking, and presents possibilities for independent thinking. (BB)

Describes a hands-on lesson in magnetism designed to be used with upper elementary grade students. Emphasizes structured experiences which involve the student in measuring, data collecting, graphing, and extrapolating information. (TW)

Describes the design of the superconducting bird, a device to demonstrate the phenomenon of superconductivity. Discusses the utilization of the device as an example of a motor and compares it to the toy called the drinking bird. (MDH)

Discussed are the division of labor, defenses, genetics and evolution, communication, and navigation power of honeybees. The scientific and cross-curricular themes that can be offered using the economically important honeybee are described. Research that suggests that bees may be flying magnets is also discussed. (KR)

Discusses the essential electrical characteristics of a particular model of soldering gun. Presents four classroom demonstrations that utilize the soldering gun to test the following geometrics of wire loops as electromagnets: (1) the original tip; (2) a single circular loop; (3) a Helmholtz coil; and (4) the solenoid. (MDH)

Describes making a magnetic pendulum similar to those seen in novelty shops. Presents an open-ended activity and a more structured activity using this pendulum. (PR)

Proposes the use of metal cans to create science experiments that motivate students to investigate the scientific concepts of electricity, magnetism, heat, inertia, and sound transmission. Describes several experiments using cans in which students explore the properties of metal. (MDH)

Describes a method for measuring the earth's magnetic field using an empty toilet paper tube, copper wire, clear tape, a battery, a linear variable resistor, a small compass, cardboard, a protractor, and an ammeter. (WRM)