Magnetism
This is a great topic for practical work and we've included plenty of it in this list! There's also some very useful subject knowledge for teachers, including areas which students find difficult and suggested teaching approaches. Students should learn about:
• magnetic poles, attraction and repulsion
• magnetic fields by plotting with compass, representation by field lines
• Earth’s magnetism, compass and navigation
• the magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, DC motors (principles only)
Visit the secondary science webpage to access all lists: https://www.stem.org.uk/secondary-science
Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS, SSERC or recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to Health and Safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.
Magnetism 11-14
There is a lot of high quality information here along with plenty of detail about a good variety of activities from the Institute of Physics. It takes a little bit of time to understand how the resource is structured but it is well worth the effort. Experienced teachers may want to turn straight to the teaching approaches, whilst those outside their specialist area are likely to appreciate the background information provided by the physics narratives and the key points to bring out when working with students given in the teaching and learning issues.
Go with the Flow: Investigating Bouncy Fluids and Other Strange Materials
This booklet is part of the ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series published by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP). There are a wide variety of materials that have unusual and interesting flow properties, and which find applications in industry and consumer goods. The booklet introduces a selection of these and provides suggestions for how they can be used in school science practical work. The activities offer a fresh approach to learning about a number of scientific concepts in the physical sciences. The materials are mostly polymers, such as slime, liquid and solid polymorph, silicone gum and putty, plus the magnetic liquid, Ferrofluid.
Introducing Magnetic Fields and the Electric Motor Effect
Here’s a rather different approach to introducing electric motors. Rather than explaining or giving instructions about how to build a motor, students are encouraged to investigate and share their ideas with each other in small groups, before feeding back to the rest of the class at the end of the lesson. It’s a nice approach if you have the time since students are likely to be intrigued and want to know more. Make sure that you provide the new, strong neodymium type magnets. The resources consist of a lesson plan and teacher notes.
Students should have some basic knowledge of magnetic fields, including fields from electromagnets, but do not need any prior knowledge of electric motors.
The main purpose of this activity is to engage, intrigue and motivate students.
Electric Motor
Another variation of a demonstration of an electric motor, this time with a explanation of how it works which non-specialists will find very useful.
Using just a battery, a magnet and a coil of wire, students make their own electric motor. Just make sure you use the new neodymium magnets, as older, traditional magnets simply aren’t strong enough.
You could use it in lots of different ways and here are two suggestions. Use it as a hook to engage students with the topic by getting them to make the motor before attempting any explanation. Alternatively, students could build the motor after having completed some theoretical work. Challenge them to present to each other or a small group on how this motor works
Electromagnetic Induction *suitable for home teaching*
This video is very useful for those who want to develop their explanation of electromagnetic induction in a generator, including ideas about the energy transfers involved.
The equipment used can be built fairly easily but similar set ups can be readily purchased from school suppliers. Students will see the immediate connection between the energy put in by the operator and the output of the bulb and the spinning magnets are very visible which aids understanding too.
Bright Sparks: Practicals
Six groups of practical activities produced by the Institute of Physics (IOP), for students to explore key concepts of electricity and magnetism, accompanied by the teachers' and technicians' guide for both the practicals and activity sheets. The subjects covered include; fuses fantastic, electric shoes, shaking electricity, electricity and heat, make a motor, magnetism and electricity. In addition to the guidance included for specific activities, please refer to the generic health and safety information before commencing any practical activity.
The Mystery of the Levitating Train *suitable for home teaching*
This activity shows the practical applications of electromagnetism. Students become members of the contractor's team responsible for the safe and efficient running of a Maglev train in a theme park. They have to use their knowledge of electricity and magnetism to diagnose and fix problems with the running of the train and produce a report for the park's director explaining the problems and how they can be solved.
This can be linked to careers by asking students to identify some of the roles that might be involved in solving the mystery (Health and Safety Inspector, Electrical Engineers, Design Engineers, Insurance Surveyor, Production Engineer, Engineering Maintenance Fitter).
Compasses and Magnetism
This resource explores magnetism and how it is used in a compass. After a short introductory video there are a series of three practical activities looking at: magnetic materials, attraction and repulsion, and how to make compass.
