This lesson introduces students to the basics of navigation, what a compass is and how it works. We will also discuss the Earth’s magnetic field and how it effects a compass, while we do a quick review of cardinal directions. (Most appropriate for grade levels 5-8.)
Lesson Time: 45 minutes
Student Activity: This students will construct their own floating magnet.
Group Work: Students will work in pairs of 2 students. In order to save time, teachers are asked to create the groups before our Wizard arrives.
Science Standards:
6.ESS.5: Rocks, mineral and soils have common and practical uses.
8.PS.1: Objects can experience a force due to an external field such as magnetic, electrostatic or gravitational fields.
8.PS.2: Forces can act to change the motion of objects.