Science Investigation Box - Magnets!

Magnets are an interesting concept for young learners. In my science methods class, I created a magnet investigation box that students can explore.

Behold! The Magnet Investigation Box!

I created a list of the activities children can do with the materials provided. 

I incorporated a variety of books about magnets in my investigation box for students to explore. The books are at various levels of students' comprehension and include many pictures of the ways magnets can be used. I like to read Magnets: Pulling Together, Pushing Apart as a read aloud with the whole group before beginning the activities. 

This is a sensory box that students can use to identify items that are magnetic or not magnetic. They take a magnetic want and wave it through the box to see what sticks to the magnet. 

Children can record their findings on this graphic organizer....

...or place magnetic items on this magnet board. 

Horseshoe magnets are included in the kit to test different objects in the classroom. They can record their findings in this document by drawing or writing.

As students become more familiar with how magnets work, they can begin to understand polarity. I included magnets tied to a string and small compasses in the investigation box for students to experiment with. 

They can see how the compass changes based on how the magnet turns.

Here are a few children I worked with in the Dominican Republic using magnets and learning how they work.

Extensions:

1. Create a racing game with magnets. Children will use repelling magnets to move an object from one side of a paper to another. Practice with strong and weak magnets and discuss which works best.

2. Put magnetic fish in a small aquarium. Ask children to predict whether or not the magnets will work in water. Have children make the fish "swim" with a magnet they hold up to the glass. Discuss how they think this happened. 

3. Make magnetic slime. Let children manipulate the slime with different objects.