• Field Trip

    More than 250 interactive science, technology, energy and health exhibits await students of all ages.  We’re experts at making sure that bringing your group to the Museum is smooth sailing all the way. Discounted admission for groups of 20 or more!

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  • Science Works

    Your students become scientists during our 50-minute ScienceWorks Labs that provide hands-on experience with a variety of topics identified in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.  Each lab includes pre-visit and post-visit classroom activities.  Labs are available year-round for preschool to middle school students.

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  • Outreach

    It's Science on Wheels: We bring the Museum to you!  We offer fun, inquiry-based programs for the students in your classroom, library, festival or youth center! All programs address objectives outlined in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and include pre- and post-visit activities.

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  • Series Outreach

    We bring science activities, writing exercises, and academic confidence to your students. Our programs are proven to correlate with a rise in Science MEAP scores among participating students. Each program is a series of workshops led by a highly qualified teacher and aligns with MI Grade Level Content Expectations.  All materials are provided.

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  • Distance Learning

    Our educators use videoconferencing to engage your students in a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. Program kits sent to classroom teachers include nearly everything you need for experiments. Kits are yours to keep! All programs address National Science Education Standards and align with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.

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  • Professional Development

    Join us for fast-paced, hands-on teacher workshops that provide elementary and middle school educators with new hands-on tools for incorporating interactive science and math activities into your classroom.  Join us for professional development opportunities both at the museum and at your school.

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  • Summer of Science

     

    Whether you’re with a group or your family, explore over 250 exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experience a unique Summer ScienceWorks Lab. Visit the Museum and fill your summer with science!

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  • Summer Camp

    Explore week-long science and math activities with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff and community collaborators.  Elementary and middle school children can investigate a different theme each week through hands-on and engaging fun.

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  • Birthday Parties

    What do you get when you mix one part science, one part fun, and one part celebration? A birthday party at the Museum! Experience a birthday full of discovery by exploring more than 250 exhibits and experimenting with a hands-on activity. Celebrate in a unique and interactive environment to make your special day really special!

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Marvelous Magnets (K-1st)

ScienceWorks: Marvelous Magnets (K-1st)

Learn about magnets as we sort materials into magnetic and non-magnetic groups. Explore whether all metals are magnetic, make magnets attract and repel, even get them to float in mid-air! Register today!

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science v.1.09

  • Demonstrate pushes and pulls on objects that can move. (P.FM.00.31)
  • Demonstrate the ability to sort objects according to observable attributes such as color, shape, size, sinking or floating. (P.PM.01.11)
  • Identify materials that are attracted by magnets. (P.PM.01.31)
  • Observe that like poles of a magnet repel and unlike poles of a magnet attract. (P.PM.01.32)

Marvelous Magnets Pre-visit Materials

During Your Visit to the ScienceWorks Lab students will be expected to:

  • Sit in tables of 6 students and (at least) 1 adult
  • Students should be prepared to give their attention to the Lab instructors when requested to “Give Me Five”
  • Work cooperatively with one another at the table
  • Follow the hands-on procedures just as the Lab teacher or assistant explains them
  • Handle materials and equipment carefully

It is important that teachers and chaperones:

  • Help to focus the students’ attention
  • Assist students with the hands-on activities and experiments when necessary
  • Turn off cell phones and pagers during the class

Vocabulary

Attract: To attract means to pull towards. Magnets attract, or pull towards and stick to, certain kinds of metal.

Compass: A compass is an instrument for determining directions by pointing to the Earth’s magnetic north pole.

Force: A push or pull exerted on an object.

Magnet: A magnet is a piece of metal that can attract, or pull towards, another piece of metal. Only certain kinds of metal are magnetic.

Magnetic Field: The magnetic field of a magnet is the magnet’s pull, or force. It works in the area all around the magnet.

Magnetic Metals: Magnetic metals are those metals that magnets attract, or stick to. They are iron, steel, cobalt and nickel.

Poles: The poles of a magnet are the two areas of the magnet where the magnetic force is strongest. Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole.

Repulsion: To repel means to push away. Two magnets with the same poles facing each other (such as a south and a south or a north and a north) will repel each other.

Marvelous Magnets Post-visit Activity

Post-visit activities will help reiterate new concepts and tie the ScienceWorks Lab experience to your classroom curriculum. Below you will find a classroom activity and a list of suggested resources for further information. We hope that you enjoyed your field trip. Visit us again!

Hands-on Activity: Make a Compass

Materials

 

  • Steel sewing needles
  • Tape
  • Bar magnets
  • Shallow plastic containers
  • Water
  • Thin slices of cork (available in sheets at hardware or building supply stores)

Procedure

 

  1. Rub the bar magnet across the needle at least 30 times in one direction only. Start at the eye end and rub towards the point end.
  2. Fill the container with water.
  3. Lay the needle across the center of the cork. Attach with tape.
  4. Float the cork slice in the center of the container.
  5. Spin it very gently if necessary. When it stops, it will point north.

Discussion

A compass is a tool used to find directions. It can help people figure out which way to go when they are traveling.

By rubbing the needle with the bar magnet, you made the needle a temporary magnet. By floating it in the water, you created a compass. A compass is s free-floating magnet.

Planet Earth acts like a huge weak bar magnet. It has a magnetic field around it and it has a North and South Pole. The needle of a compass always points toward magnetic north.

Suggested Resources

Books

Fowler, Allan. What Magnets Can Do. Childrens Press, Chicago, IL. 1995.
Rowe, Julian and Molly Perham. Amazing Magnets. Childrens Press, Chicago, IL. 1994.
Science Made Simple Grades 1-6. Frank Schaffer Productions, CA. 1997.
Tolman, Marvin N. Hands-On Physical Science Activities for Grades 2-8. Parker Publishing Company, Inc., NY. 1995.
Vecchione, Glen. Magnet Science. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc, NY. 1995.
Wood, Robert W. Electricity and Magnetism FUNdamentals: Funtastic Science Activities for Kids. Learning Triangle Press,McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 1997.

Internet

Science Wire
Creative Kids at Home
ProTeacherArchive
Canada Science and Technology Museum

Marvelous Magnets (K-1st)

Science Works

School

50 minutes

K-2nd

20, 30, 60, 100

Physical Sciences