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DISCUSS (1 of 3):

What are some of the things you observed?

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DISCUSS (2 of 3):

Was there anything that surprised you?

Why did that surprise you?

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DISCUSS (3 of 3):

What are two or three questions you have about magnets that no one in your class knows the answer to?

Can you think of experiments that would help answer your questions?

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Demo: Once a paperclip touches a magnet and becomes a magnet itself, does a paperclip STAY that way? Or does it stop being a magnet?

Try it! (Your teacher can demonstrate this.)

Reveal answer

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Discuss: What do you think you could do with magnets that would be interesting?

There are so many possibilities. Here’s one I like: the magnetic sweeper I used in the parking lot to collect nails and sharp objects so they wouldn’t puncture holes in tires.

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Extend this lesson

Assessments

View all extensions

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# Extensions

Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & Exploration you just completed.

Lesson Assessment and Answer Key
Video: If you are intrigued by magnetic silly putty, watch this video from the Bearded Science Guy for info on how to make your own.
Reading: Hunting for Rocks from Outer Space
Reading: The Biggest Magnet in the World
Activity: Use a magnet to find iron in your iron-fortified breakfast cereal! Learn how with this video demonstration.

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force

1 of 10

a push or a pull

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attract

2 of 10

to pull toward

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repel

3 of 10

to push away, such as when two magnets with the same poles face each other

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metal

4 of 10

a type of material that is usually shiny and you cannot see through it

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material

5 of 10

what something is made of, like metal, wood, or plastic

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property

6 of 10

something you can observe about an object or material

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magnet

7 of 10

an object that can attract or repel certain materials, often metals

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magnetic

8 of 10

something that can be pushed and pulled by magnets

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magnetize

9 of 10

to make a material magnetic

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experiment

10 of 10

a test used to discover new information about a question

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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration

globe by Celestia , used under CC BY

sandals by luntblog , used under CC BY

Lefka Ori mountain range by Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho , used under CC BY

nails by Andrva , used under CC BY-SA

magnet rocks by Roke , used under CC BY-SA

skyline with screws by Simon Hadleigh-Sparks , used under CC BY

Or Venezuela by Didier Descouens , used under CC BY-SA

mineral copper by Daniel Stucht , used under CC BY-SA

silver by United States Geological Survey & Mineral Information Institute

iron by Siim Sepp , used under CC BY-SA

paperclip by Brandon Baunach , used under CC BY

powder steel by Aney , used under CC BY-SA

powder steel on magnet by Aney , used under CC BY-SA

silly putty by Childhood 101 , used under CC BY

100lbs of magnetic putty by Vat19.com , used under CC BY

saftey Ink by Chris Lott , used under CC BY

ferrofluid in a bottle by Vat19.com

train by Max Talbot-Minkin , used under CC BY

dancing clip by kinchangnoodle , used under CC BY

Activity

horseshoe by Ajcann , used under CC BY-SA

bar magnet by Aney , used under CC BY-SA

Credits

“Students loved exploring with magnets! They were also amazed that the paper clip could become magnetized and act as a magnet! They loved the magnetic silly putty video. Honestly, awesome videos like this are what keeps bringing me back to Mystery Science! Thank you!”

“I don't know!!! Maybe everything!!!! I love Mystery Science!!!! Its my favorite subject in school!!! I love doing things with magnets!!!!! PS. My name is Emily and I am in the fourth grade.:):):) ”

Ideas for Magnet Experiments worksheet	30 copies
Magnets Are Weird worksheet	30 copies
Magnetic Metal Items Paper clips, staples, nails, washers, binder clips, metal bottle caps, stainless steel flatware, or anything else made of iron or steel.	Details 30 items
Non-Magnetic Metal Items Pennies, quarters, dimes, nickels, the metal band on the end of a pencil, aluminum cans, or anything else made of aluminum, copper, silver, or gold.	Details 30 items
Non-Metal Items Anything made of plastic, wood, glass, or paper. You can even try food items!	Details 30 items
Pencil	30 pencils
Index Cards (3x5)	60 cards
Paper Clips	120 clips
Thread You can also use string or light ribbon.	Details 15 feet
Ring Magnets	60 magnets

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What can magnets do?

Vocabulary